Kagiso residents angry about mining operations
The community of Kagiso claims that the blasting is damaging their homes and that they will not tolerate it.
In Kagiso the remains of burnt tyres and rocks, stones and tree branches barricading roads still were visible after a protest against mining operations over the weekend.
Although the situation was calm on 6 January, residents from the area gathered at the Kagisanong Community Hall while their community leaders were in discussions with among other the councillors about the problems relating to an open-cast mine operated by mining company Mintails SA.
Under the watchful eyes of the South African Police Service the community leaders told the crowd outside the community hall that they urged the Mogale City Local Municipality Executive Mayor Koketso Calvin Seerane and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane to avail themselves so that the matter regarding mining operations could be discussed and clarified.
“We have been at war with the mining company and we will continue to protest until our demands are met,” a community leader said.
He said that they were angry at Mintails as they had failed to inform them properly.
“Our homes are being damaged by the mining operations and we will not tolerate that. Without any fear or favour are we going forward to fight them.”
He said if the Mintails management did not come to them and provide them with the answers they needed, violence would escalate in the area.
“Kagiso will become ungovernable.”
Meanwhile Jan Jacobs, General Manager of Mintails SA said that the communities were consulted before open-cast mining activities commenced in the area.
“Mintails management undertook a two-month consultation process with all communities and it was advertised in the local newspapers. We also have established an Environmental Management Forum, of which Kagiso is a member, to provide a platform for the local communities to participate in the decision-making process around the environmental challenges in the area.”
Jacobs slammed the statement that the mines are causing damage to homes via blasting as not being true.
“The legal requirement is that blasting conducted by mining companies on open cast should not be undertaken within 100 metres of any permanent structure.”
He said that complaints from the community about the damages caused by blasting had been investigated and that it was established that the damage occurred either before Mintails’ operations commenced or was caused by the severe weather experienced on 28 November last year.
“Mintails has engaged the community and provided them through their councillor with complaint forms to be completed. To date not one form identifying the damage being caused by the blasting and mining operations has been received.”
