Controversy over Platreef Mine’s operational legality

LIMPOPO – The community has protested to the government and the Canadian High Commission against the violation of graves and the lack of enforcement of laws and customary rules protecting them. Derrick Tsita, Spokesperson for Mokopane Interested and Affected Communities Committee (MIACC) says: “The granting of these permits is a final insult to our human rights and our human dignity.” These were only a few words written by Mining Watch Canada in their recent article: “Is Ivanhoe Mining Informing its Shareholders of Ivanplats’ Real Risks, Liabilities, and Irregularities?’

Ivanhoe gave the following statement regarding the article published by Minining Watch Canada:

“Ivanhoe Mines condemns in the strongest terms possible the attempt by Mining Watch Canada – and its dishonest associates in South Africa – to spread falsehoods about the Platreef mine development project. The recycled and false allegations published by Mining Watch Canada are not new and previously have been rebutted by Ivanhoe Mines and its South African subsidiary, Ivanplats. Ivanhoe Mines is disappointed, although not surprised, that Mining Watch Canada has chosen to act as a Canadian blinkered cheerleader for the falsehoods and misrepresentations that have been perpetuated, and violent acts that have been staged, by activist Aubrey Langa who previously has been convicted by the courts of furnishing false information, robbery and attempted murder. Langa is recognized for waging what one prominent newspaper recently described as his ‘single-minded campaign’ against the Platreef mine in Mokopane.

“One fact that speaks volumes about Mining Watch Canada’s conduct is that the anti-mining organization has never contacted senior representatives of Ivanhoe Mines or Ivanplats and sought to openly discuss any purported concerns. Instead, Mining Watch Canada chose to grandstand and seek to mislead shareholders, other stakeholders and the media by issuing a news release, riddled with false allegations. Much of the Mining Watch May 18 news release is a recitation of false allegations and unsupported claims by Langa and his cohorts in their dishonest campaign against the development of the Platreef mine.

“Ivanhoe Mines has always recognized that the ongoing support of neighbouring communities is essential to the success of the Platreef Project. Contrary to claims promoted by Mining Watch, Ivanplats has demonstrated the utmost respect for historical gravesites and has fully complied with all prescriptions laid down by the relevant authorities. Furthermore, Ivanplats did fence off the sites once the required permissions were obtained from next-of-kin; and the South African Heritage Resources Agency provided inputs during the Environmental Authorization application. In addition, no unauthorized blasting has been conducted at the mine development site. These are well-established matters of fact.

“Ivanplats was granted a mining right, or licence, for Platreef by South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources on May 30, 2014, which took legal effect on November 4, 2014. The Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism issued an environmental authorization to Ivanplats on June 27, 2014, under terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998. The consultation requirements for the approval of a mining right and an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment are very onerous. Ivanplats did consult extensively with the public and these licences were duly granted by two different government departments. Langa filed various appeals with different government bodies, including the Department of Mineral Resources. Following official reviews, none of Langa’s objections were upheld by the relevant authorities. Langa’s egregious dishonesty in his attacks on the Platreef Project appears to have reached a new low with his exploitive claim of an association between the ongoing development of the project and the reported wounding of a purported community activist in an alleged firearm incident last month. As far as Ivanhoe Mines is aware, there is not a whit of evidence to support Langa’s malicious and defamatory allegations. We understand that local police are continuing their investigation of the reported firearm incident.

“Ivanplats has earned, and respects, the support of the overwhelming majority of the residents of Mokopane. Critics of the planned Platreef Mine constitute only a small group that consistently numbers no more than 100 people who stage organized protests. That group is led by individuals who have self-serving agendas and who do not have legitimate concerns relating to the community at large, nor do they have any significant support from the host communities around the mine development project. The Platreef mine never can be the sole answer to the socio-economic problems facing the communities of Mokopane, where poverty and unemployment pose huge challenges for all of the people in the area. However, Ivanhoe Mines is confident that this multi-billion-rand development project not only will become a major mining operation but it also will contribute significantly to job creation, skills training and economic development opportunities.”

Aubrey Langa further added: “They must play the ball and not the man. They should rather respond to the allegations than to waste time slandering me. I could raise the fact that Robert Friedland (Executive Chairperson of Ivanhoe) has a criminal past, but I won’t because that won’t resolve the situation that they are operating illegally.”