According to a media statement, the Mogale City Local Municipality has interdicted Mintails mining company over its blasting operations that led to protests in Kagiso.
Nkosana Zali, spokesperson for the municipality says that they have convened a meeting at the Kagisanong Hall.
“It is public knowledge that the municipality has raised mining-related issues on behalf of the community with the Department of Mineral Resources. We wish to indicate that Mintails’ blasting activities affected the informal settlements of Makhulugama and Tudor Shaft/ Soul City, the suburbs of Boltonia and Kagiso.”
He says they raised concerns with Susan Shabangu, Minister of Mineral Resources about the dust fallout, noise, structural damage to homes and so forth that were caused by Mintails’ blasting activities.
“Whilst we are not the competent authority to issue mining licences and monitor compliance, we have a responsibility to respond to the myriad challenges that confront our communities as a result of mining activities. The only recourse we have to curb infringement of the rights of our communities is in common law and we have considered applying for an urgent court interdict against Mintails to stop its blasting operations as a way of protecting the structural integrity of the buildings of our residents.”
Zali says that they have approached the High Court for an urgent court order on 7 January.
“The order will halt operations whilst giving the Department of Mineral Resources ample opportunity to investigate the issues we have raised with them.”
He says that this was done because Mintails, after so much persuasion and engagement, failed to meet the basic requirements such as:
• Engaging in public participation to inform the residents (including business) about intentions to blast
• Clearing the area before blasting
• Blasting with restraint or using alternative blasting methods or equipment of appropriate size that does not threaten or undermine the structural integrity of the houses of Mogale residents and businesses in close proximity to these operations.
Zali says that they are supporting mining as it is the backbone of the West Rand economy.
“Above everything else we are for responsible mining that does not harm the environment in which our people live. We will not compromise on the structural integrity of our people’s houses and their businesses.
