Australia-based miner Mineral Sands Resources (MSR), which owns and operates the Tormin mine, near Vredendal, in the Western Cape, celebrated the launch and official handover of a resource centre to the local Koekenaap School and community last month.
The centre consists of a computer training facility, library and classroom, equipped with computers, books and furniture; and toilet facilities to supplement the current inadequate toilet blocks at the school.
The resource centre, the first and only in Koekenaap, is available to learners of the school and community members.
“This is a practical example of how the social and labour plan of a mining company can provide upliftment and development for an impoverished local community. Employees at Tormin . . . who live in the local community are [the] direct beneficiaries of this R2-million project,” says Tormin mine GM Gary Thompson.
Koekenaap School principal Eddie Cloete adds: “Our major problem has been the lack of infrastructure. When MSR approached us offering assistance, we requested a centre for computer training, a library and desperately needed toilets. We are so excited to have a centre that will benefit the whole community; we could not have done this without MSR.”
Department of Education chief executive specialist Marshall Johnson explained that, for the first time, the 323 learners in Grades R to 7 at Koekenaap, as well as their families, will have access to state-of-the-art computer facilities and a much-needed library.
“This is the only school serving this community and to have modern equipment with which to train the future generation is a dream come true. Education is so fundamental to the growth of an economy and by providing this centre, MSR is making a huge difference in the lives of these community members,” he says.
The many guests who attended the launch included learners from the school, parents, representatives of the local municipality and community members.
Thompson emphasised that partnerships such as this one, which involved the mine, the Department of Mineral Resources and the local community help to build strong partnerships are the foundations of sustainable socioeconomic development in the country. “MSR believes that responsible mining is required for co-existence with society, culture, heritage and environment, and is the principle which underpins our investment in the country.”