Communities in Mpumalanga have accused mining companies in Mpumalanga’s Nkangala region, of failing to comply with their own Social Labour Plans (SLPs).
This emerged during a recent oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, on Tuesday this week.
SLPs are an important requirement by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources when considering applications for mining rights, and through these initiatives mining companies support community development such as building and upgrading community infrastructure, housing, economic empowerment and skills development. An SLP becomes a binding legal document once mining rights have been awarded.
Mikateko Mahlaule, Committee Chairperson, said it was unacceptable for companies to fail to live up to promises and commitments after mining rights are awarded.
“We are determined to ensure SLPs are implanted, we want accountability from the companies, it is law, and they must do what they promised to do in terms of the law”, said the Chairperson.
The committee also conducted oversight to Optimum Coal Mine, now Liberty Coal, following a business rescue process.
The department told the committee about the company’s non-compliance with certain provisions and environmental laws. The mine is operating a washing plant without a pollution control dam, an important regulatory requirement.
Management told the committee that they were taking the necessary steps to be fully compliant with all the laws as part of the ongoing rehabilitation and rebuilding of the mine.
The committee gave the company two weeks to submit a comprehensive plan on how they were going to comply with all the regulatory requirements as well as SLPs.
The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) also expressed concern at its exclusion from the Portfolio Committee visit in Mpumalanga.
The union said in a statement, it was intentionally left out, despite multiple requests for inclusion.