Precious metals company Sibanye-Stillwater has committed to start building 16 plus one houses for category four to category eight employees which will be used for rentals in the Masilonyana and Matjhabeng municipalities, in the Free State.

Sibanye-Stillwater owns and operates the Beatrix gold mine, a shallow to intermediate level gold mine, in the southern portion of the Free State goldfields. The mine is located in the Matjhabeng local municipality, near the towns of Welkom and Virginia.

The project is in line with Sibanye-Stillwater’s social and labour plan (SLP) commitment for 2017 to 2021. The company has committed R30-million towards the rental houses to be built. Procurement for the housing contract was carried out according to the company procurement policy.

This project is in addition to the memorandum of understanding that Sibanye-Stillwater and the Masilonyana and Matjhabeng local municipalities entered into regarding a R54-million investment for the improvement of municipal road infrastructure and water reticulation projects for this year.

The road infrastructure improvement will enable efficient transportation for businesses and locals in the area. The economic benefits will result in multiplier effects, such as better accessibility to markets, employment and additional investments.

Further, the water reticulation system will provide access to sustainable, ecofriendly drinking water and a better managed wastewater solution system.

This major project is supported by the Department of Mineral Resources and is also aligned with the municipalities’ five year integrated development plan.

Sibanye-Stillwater and gold mining company Harmony Gold came together for the Matjhabeng project, contributing a combined R87-million towards the project.

The Masilonyane project, to the value of R27-million, is fully funded by Sibanye-Stillwater.

“The local economies situated in these areas are currently predominantly dependent on mining and, therefore, it was imperative for us to take this journey,” says Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman.

“I am pleased that we can positively contribute to the community and economy of Masilonyana and Matjhabeng through this bulk infrastructure development.