PHALABORWA – The Ba-Phalaborwa Community Forum (BCF) has called for the removal of KBH, a foreign-owned company involved in the processing and distribution of magnetite.

The forum says it wants to take over the operation to ensure that the local community directly benefits from the area’s natural resources.

BCF is a community-led organisation that represents the eight villages of Ba-Phalaborwa. It acts as a liaison between residents and businesses, particularly concerning employment and economic inclusion.

Forum accuses magnetite firms of exclusion

BCF chairperson Macduff Mathebula told the Herald that local communities are frustrated with foreign companies profiting from their mineral resources while offering minimal employment or development opportunities for residents.

“We are tired of outsiders coming into our community, making money from our resources, and giving nothing back,” Mathebula said.

“Only a handful of locals are employed, and there is no investment in skills development or support for small local businesses.”

In response, the BCF recently staged a protest outside Transnet offices, where they blocked staff from working and reportedly held up a train carrying magnetite.

The protest targeted ETG, a company the forum claims works in partnership with Transnet and owns or is affiliated with several operations, including KBH and Bosveld MP2.

According to Mathebula, KBH not only operates a magnetite plant but also manages the distribution of the mineral to international markets.

The forum accuses the company of excluding the community from both employment and business opportunities.

“These companies do not care about our people,” Mathebula said.

“We want KBH out, and we will take over its operations with the full inclusion of the community. PMC (Palabora Mining Company) has already allocated magnetite to us. What we now need is for Transnet to authorise us to use their rail infrastructure so that we can distribute it ourselves.”

When asked whether the forum has the capacity to manage such operations, Mathebula responded confidently.

“We will run our own plant, use our own trucks, and we have a resident with the necessary permission to distribute magnetite via rail.”

Legal battle and peaceful protest planned

Although the BCF initially planned an extended protest, they halted after one day, following the issuance of a court interdict by Transnet, which rejected their demands.

Mathebula said the forum has since appealed the interdict in the High Court and has applied for permission to hold a three-day peaceful protest in November.

At the time of publication, Transnet could not be reached for comment.