Gwede Mantashe extends Xolobeni titanium mining ban
According to the minister, the moratorium, which also prohibits authorities from awarding new mining licences in the region, was put in place to encourage both sides to reach an agreement before mining began.
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe’s proposal for a two-year moratorium on titanium mining rights in Xolobeni has angered those who are against mining in the area.
At a meeting held in Xolobeni, the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) demanded that the minister visit the community within 21 days.
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This comes after the minister last week said he intended to declare a further two-year moratorium on mining rights between Australian mining company Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources (TEM), and local residents.
The minister extended the ban which had been due to expire in December this year, following public opposition and legal action against the proposed titanium mine.
According to the minister, the moratorium, which also prohibits authorities from awarding new mining licences in the region, was put in place to encourage both sides to reach an agreement before mining began.
The minister also gave the public 21 days to comment on the matter.
However, the process did not sit well with ACC members.
They pointed out that the minister had never visited the community, not even from a political leadership point of view, despite the fact that the area was an ANC stronghold.
Spokesman for the ACC, Nonhle Mbuthuma, said in a statement the minister did not understand what people there were going through.
The statement also accused some ANC leaders of being in cahoots with outside companies and wanting to take their land.
“All mining ministers have promised our land to Australians and their black capitalist partners. Mantashe himself now gives more time for the mining lobby to push its agenda.”
The ACC stressed that these ministers refused to accept their emphatic ‘no’ to mining.
“They must not pretend to be concerned about the violence that is happening here. They were supposed to take a decision long time ago,” read the statement.
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