Activists march to Mining Indaba

They handed over a petition on the plight of mining communities

For the first time in eight years, community activists and church leaders succeeded in submitting a petition to the Mining Indaba over their long-standing concerns about the plight of mining communities.

Yesterday, about 100 activists from the Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI) marched to the Cape Town International Convention Centre where the “Investing in Africa Mining Indaba” is being held, and submitted a petition.

There were at least 450 activists from faith-based, civil society and community-based organisations; pan-African network; labour and women movements as well as students present.

Among the demands submitted by the AMI was the domestication of the African Mining Vision from vision to reality. “We have been meeting in Cape Town to share the experiences, lessons and deliberate on the role and impact of extractives on communities, national economies, the environment, and society at large,” read the AMI memorandum.

“Cognisant of the adoption of a new global pact, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the ongoing fragility in the global economy, but more especially in Africa following the collapse in commodity prices and dwindling levels of external funding, mobilising adequate resources, remains a national obligation and a challenge.”

Managing director of the Mining Indaba Alex Grose and chief executive of the International Council of Mining and Metals Tom Butler received the petition. They were accompanied by senior executives of the Chamber of Mines and representatives from the Department of Mineral Resources.

Butler said the ICMM was committed to “more engagement between mining companies, government and civil society”.

“The United Nations has set us all a challenge to deliver on the SDGs. The key SDG is 17 – which calls on all parties to deliver on the other goals through stronger partnerships,” Butler said.

The AMI activists were led by chairperson of Bench Marks Foundation, Bishop Jo Seoka, who is involved with distressed mining communities.. – ANA

PICTURE: HENK KRUGER STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE: A group belonging to the Alternative Mining Indaba pickets outside the CTICC where the Mining Indaba was held. The group handed over a memorandum.