Building of mine meets stiff protest

POLICE yesterday fired rubber bullets to disperse protesters who blocked a highway with rocks and tyres near Ivanhoe Mines’ Platreef project to demonstrate against plans to start building the $1.6 billion (R17.6bn) platinum mine. Some members of the local community are opposed to the approval of a licence that allows billionaire Robert Friedland’s Ivanhoe to develop Platreef. The police removed the protesters and arrested three, according to spokesman Steve Mabuza. Ivanhoe said there were about 100 protesters while police estimated between 300 and 500. Frans Makhafola, the deputy chairman of the Masehlaneng Development Committee, one of the bodies representing the community, said: “We want further engagement and more talks to happen.” – Bloomberg