Mining house officials sent packing by villagers
RESIDENTS WANT STAKE IN MINE
FED-UP villagers chased away Samancor Chrome, the world’s second-largest ferrochrome producer, after failing to reach mining agreements with the mining giant.
Residents of Mmantserre, Rustenburg, in North West, who are living on mineral-rich land, were furious when they saw Samancor officials over the weekend at the community hall without having properly consulted them.
They said Samancor Chrome, a mining company producing one million metric tonnes of charge chrome a year, was disrespecting their views and demands.
The residents said the company wanted to give them R10 per ton produced in exchange for the use of their land. They said they told the company that they would only agree for their land to be used if they are given a 40% stake.
Mmantserre already has Anglo American Platinum mining on their land. They say the mine pays them R2-million as royalties but they do not benefit in any other way from the deal.
The money allegedly goes to the coffers of the tribal authority.
At the weekend, angry villagers chased away Samancor officials who were in the area to talk about the mining agreement between the company and the community.
One of the residents, Modise Mokgatle, said they want a 40% shareholding, not the R10 per ton produced the company was promising.
“There was supposed to be public participation before everything, they know [that]. Now they want to corner us. We are not going to talk to them until everything is settled and in our favour. We want to be part of the mining operation,” he said.
Fellow resident Petrus Mothibedi was also worried.
“What will then happen to our farms and livestock? Samancor is disrespecting us and they are already showing us that they can do as they like with us. Why must we agree to their partnership?”
Mmeme Khotseng said they did not want Samancor to mine in their area.
“We had a meeting with them last time, and we refused their offer and today they come again with the same offer, saying we must take it or leave it. This is our land and they will not mine against our will,” she said.
Mmantserre chief Monathi Ramokoka said there must be an environmental impact assessment first. “I am encouraging dialogue, the facts must be on the table. We cannot be manipulated,” he said.
Samancor spokeswoman Sunel Pretorius had not commented at the time of going to print.