Residents vow not to open gates until all their demands are met
According to an insider, a meeting that was earmarked to solve the disagreements was held on June 21 at Hannah Lodge. No agreements were reached between the two parties.
PENGE – It has been a month since the Roka Malepe Traditional Authority locked the gates at Imerys’ Annesley Andalusite Mine at Segorong Village.
Operations have been suspended at the mine which is known to many as Ga Mosela.
Residents locked the gates on June 3, preventing the miners from entering the premises.
The protest is led by the traditional authority supported by villagers from the nearby communities of Maakubu, Malepe, Sekopung, Mankele, Sehunyane, Kgopaneng and Maretlwaneng.
The residents demand that the mine adheres to the social-labour plans and also offers them employment and business opportunities.
Mr Takutaku Malepe, spokesman for Roka Malepe said, “We are shutting down this mine. When the owners are ready to communicate with us, that is when we will open the gates.”
According to an insider, a meeting that was earmarked to solve the disagreements was held on June 21 at Hannah Lodge. No agreements were reached between the two parties.
At the time of going to press operations remained suspended.
Mr Xolisa Mvinjelwa, spokesman for the mine, said, “This has nothing to do with the mine not adhering to the social-labour plan or not providing work opportunities. It is just a criminal element.”
Annesley Mine is owned by French-based industrial-minerals company Imerys, through its South African subsidiary Imerys Mining, and is affiliated to Rhino Minerals.The mine is one of the oldest in Tubatse.
