A total of R2.1-billion has been ringfenced by the Department of Human Settlements over the medium-term expenditure framework period for housing projects in mining towns, with R290-million of this amount to be spent in the current financial year. Read on page 14 of this edition of Mining Weekly of 14 mining towns identified by government to receive support from the fiscus. Through the revitalisation of mining towns, government aims to create viable economies in the areas around mines, with the help of special economic zones to ensure “life after mining”. The concept also involves business, government and labour jointly mobilising local investment, as well as foreign direct investment, into the mining sector.

The Department of Environmental Affairs, South African National Parks and Coal of Africa Limited have signed a historic biodiversity offset agreement for Coal of Africa’s Vele colliery, in Limpopo province. Read on page 19 of this edition of Mining Weekly of the biodiversity offset forming a protection shield for the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site, owing to the proximity of the colliery to the hallowed site. Negative impacts will be avoided, reduced or remedied in the pursuit of promoting the development of the cultural landscape. A steering committee representing the three parties will provide an oversight implementation function. The agreement is seen as a mutual victory for economic developments and environmental protection and a way of creating jobs and deriving benefit from natural resources that are simultaneously protected and conserved for future generations. South Africa’s biodiversity, which is calculated to be worth R73-billion, is said to contribute 7% to this country’s gross domestic product. The agreement is seen as a means of allowing mining and the environment collectively to achieve prosperity in a sustainable way.

In line with its vision of creating sustainability beyond mine life, Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela mine has produced its first construction entrepreneur, in the nearby town of Postmasburg. Read on page 19 of this edition of Mining Weekly of Anglo American’s Zimela using Kolomela as a platform to fund the construction company and the successful entrepreneur, in turn, going through the full cycle of completely paying off the loan granted after the awarding of a contract by the Assmang-owned Beeshoek iron-ore mine, which also operates in the Northern Cape. Won through a tender process, the contract entailed the construction of a fence around a local school. Zimele, which provides funding and support for historically disadvantaged South Africans, has been creating sustainable small and medium- sized enterprises for the past quarter century.

A technology provider has developed a new way of recovering cyanide, commonly used as a reagent in the gold processing. Read on page 18 of this edition of Mining Weekly of the recovery process reportedly functioning with zero emissions and producing a nigh cyanide-free slurry with less electricity and lower chemicals consumption.