Mineral Resources Minister, Ms Susan Shabangu, today handed over a school project worth R1,5 million to the Department of Basic Education.

The school, Goso Forest Junior Secondary School, is situated in Lusikisiki in the OR Tambo District Municipality, and is part of a Presidential Package programme. As part of the Package, the President has identified labour-sending areas as key priorities for socio-economic development and development of human settlements. A large proportion of Anglo Gold Ashanti’s employees come from this area.

“As Government we welcome the commitment by mining companies which demonstrates that they are indeed taking their responsibility towards mining communities and labour-sending areas seriously, and implementation of projects is now handled in a better coordinated manner.” Minister Shabangu said.

The project was also developed as part of Anglo Gold Ashanti’s implementation of its Social Labour Plan. The SLPs are a requirement as per the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (2002), which stipulates that holders of mining and production rights must contribute towards the socio-economic development of the areas in which they operate, and areas from which they source labour.

“It is as a result of this country’s past of a migrant labour system, and the adverse impact this had on labour-sending areas, that as a Department we continue to make interventions, including amending legislation, the MPRDA Act, to make mining companies more accountable for the sustainable development of mining communities, and areas from which their employees are sourced. Skills development and the development of the youth remains paramount to the future of South Africa and sustainability of mining in the country.” Minister Shabangu added.

The school laboratory project is set to benefit 20 schools in the area. During the construction phase, 15 local jobs were created, benefiting an estimated 150 families.  A local supplier was also used for procuring building equipment.

In addition to the building of the laboratory during, the mine has contributed R700 000 for renovations of 23 classrooms.