▶️ read the original post The Fight for Universal Consultation in Disake: A Community’s Ongoing Struggle which first appeared on MACUA.
By Senthati Katlego Zasekhaya – summary below by Vuka.news
- Disake Village in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, North West, faces harsh living conditions and limited input on issues affecting them. The village is surrounded by six major mines: PPC Dwaalboom Cement Mine, Siyanda Bakgatla Platinum Mine, Anglo (Amandelbult), Northam Platinum Mine, Kalaka Mining, and Andelusite Mine.
- The community has not benefited from the mining activities, facing issues like limited job opportunities, no business or skills development and exclusion from decision-making processes
- Frustration over these issues led to a community protest on March 12, 2024, demanding action from PPC Dwaalboom Cement Mine, which has not followed through on promised consultations. This issue extends beyond PPC, as other nearby mines also fail to consult with the community, despite the direct impact of their operations.
- Economic hardships are worsened by lack of local employment opportunities in the mines, denied opportunities for skills training and business partnerships for youth and health risks from pollution, such as dust from mining trucks.
- The community is excluded from discussions about how these issues will be managed or how mines will support community development.
- South African law requires that communities be consulted on mining activities, as outlined in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), but mines often ignore these regulations. This situation reflects a national issue, as many South African communities affected by mining face similar challenges.
- For progress to occur, mining companies must fulfill their obligations, not just legally but also for social justice and sustainable development.
