The South African Mining Association (SAMA) has noted the Minister of Mineral Resources (Mr Mosebenzi Zwane) suspension of the Revised Mining Charter, until the court decides on its fate.
However, we as the organisation stand by our firm conviction in that, whether the Revised Mining Charter sees the light of day, or gets to be opposed and canned.
NB: Mining communities still continue to live under abject poverty, with no meaningful and sustainable “tangible” commitments by the mining companies to transform their lives economically, and yet “ transformation” is always an abuzz word in all their sustainability and growth pronounciations.
Unless, any structured body “advocates” and “champions” the rights of these mining communities for sustainable socio-economic interventions, long after the mining activities cease to exist.
We will still painfully observe their rights into a “fair and equitable share” being trampled upon, with most of these mining houses simple submitting “Social & Labour Investment Plans” so as to secure the mining licences and permits, without consulting the communities in terms of understanding their needs first, before dumping these schools and clinics which at times become obsolete infrastructural assets, as the communities have certain long term needs requiring urgent interventions, some of which we have robustly consulted them to understand.
We believe, mining communities are the “heart beat” of any mining activity and have a voice too.