JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The Merafong municipality was ordered to restore water supply to the Blyvooruitzicht mining community, following an emergency meeting called by Mineral Resources Minister Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi to deal with the humanitarian challenges facing the community.
Water supply, which was disconnected in May, would be reconnected for a period of one month.
The mine’s liquidators had agreed to pay the municipality R600 000 to provide water to the community and to repair leakages.
Meanwhile, stakeholders at the meeting also agreed that community mapping and social profiling of households in the area should be carried out by the Department of Mineral Resources to determine the level of assistance and intervention required by the communities affected by the liquidation of the gold mine, near Carletonville.
“Interventions, including distress packages, will be provided in the short term, as the team explores medium- to long-term measures including environmental, economic and infrastructural concerns,” special adviser to the Minister Advocate Mahlodi Muofhe said.
Emanating from the meeting, a report on the status of the liquidation process would also be sought from the liquidators.
“It is crucial that we learn from this to prevent a similar situation from occurring when a mine is liquidated,” Muofhe said.
Stakeholders who attended the meeting included representatives from the departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation and Social Development, as well as representatives from the Merafong City municipality and Masters of the High Court.
A progress meeting would be held in two weeks.