CPAL offers to assist R40 repairs between Phalaborwa-Hoedspruit
After concerns over road damage, a truck company has offered to support rehabilitation of the R40 between Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.
TZANEEN – Farm and landowners along the R526, together with members of the Gravelotte Farm Watch, recently met with PMC Mine to raise concerns about heavy trucks transporting magnetite from the mine.
The meeting followed complaints from stakeholders who believe the increased use of the R526 by heavy vehicles is causing significant damage to the road.
According to a representative of the group of concerned Gravelotte stakeholders, trucks began using the R526 as an alternative route after the R40 was damaged in recent floods.
“The R526 was not designed to carry heavy vehicles of that size. The road was already damaged by heavy rains, and the trucks are now making the situation worse.
“We have also witnessed reckless and speeding behaviour by some drivers, which poses a danger to children in the area,” the representative told the Herald.
During the meeting, PMC reportedly stated that the trucks in question do not belong to the mine and that it is therefore not responsible for them.
However, PMC shared a letter with the Gravelotte farming community from China Precious Asia Limited (CPAL), the company that owns the trucks.
In the letter, CPAL expressed its willingness to partner with Sanral to assist with repairs to the R40 between Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.
The letter was shared with the Herald.
“We are one of the main customers within PMC and are responsible for logistics between Phalaborwa town and the port of Maputo,” the letter reads.
“We have engaged internally to determine how best we can contribute to the rehabilitation and repair of the R40 between Phalaborwa and Hoedspruit.
“We believe it would be appropriate to collaborate with your organisation as part of our corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“It is our wish to understand the scope of work to be undertaken and the completion deadlines. Please advise how we can facilitate a mutually beneficial public-private partnership through this proposed initiative.”
The Gravelotte farming community has indicated that it would like to see a clear schedule for the road repairs and has also requested a contact person to whom reckless driving incidents can be reported.
The Herald will provide updates as the matter develops.
