Meeting over Rooifontein ‘unprocedural’
LANDOWNERS and interested parties to an application by Mosito Mining (Pty) Ltd for a mining permit on Rooifontein farm, declared a public meeting that was called at the Housing Support Centre hall in Galeshewe yesterday to be unprocedural.
The company intends mining diamonds on the land that is said to be ecologically sensitive.
The Rooifontein Wildlife Club has previously argued that mining activity will destroy the environment, where the majority of members as well as the landowners, Kimberley Ekapa Mining joint venture, have lodged objections against the application.
According to the notification that was sent from LW Consultants on August 11, the meeting was convened to allow for “individual and group consultation with all interested and affected parties of the mining permit application and to provide all interested and affected parties the opportunity to ask any questions and raise any concerns.”
It indicated that all questions and concerns would be recorded in the Basic Environmental Assessment Report that would be forwarded to the environmental practitioner no later than August 25.
“Should any interested and affected party not attend the scheduled meeting nor submit a written document recording questions and concerns, it will be recorded that such interested and affected party has no concerns and objections towards the Mining Permit Application of Mosito Mining,” the letter stated.
Interested parties who attended the meeting pointed out that the meeting was not advertised for the attention of the general public.
They added that the notice was misleading and that proper procedures were not followed.
It was agreed to arrange separate meetings between the landowners, consultants and the mining company followed by a public participation meeting.
Cope MPL Pakes Dikgetsi pointed out that while commercial mining magnates exploited the mineral resources of the Province for centuries, small, emerging miners were viewed as an “unwelcome threat”.
“There is a lack of cooperation between big and small companies as well as environmental organisations in the quest to share the mineral resources of the nation.
“New entrants to the mining industry wish to grow the economy, create jobs and fight poverty.
“Lack of transformation, inequality and unemployment are the ticking time bombs waiting to explode to the detriment of all.”
He urged conservation groups not to “frustrate” the efforts of the small mining companies with “frivolous and technical arguments” .
“Both the environmental legislation and the Mineral Petroleum Resources Development Act makes provision for the management of such scenarios which should be in the best interest of all parties.”