Minister Gwede Mantashe visits Phola
The community visit in Phola was for the inspection in-loco and engages with community members.
The Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe visited community members of Phola to address some of the issues which were raised by members of the community.
The visit held on Thursday, April 4 follows that which was held a week before with community members on Sunday March 31.
The community visit in Phola was for the inspection in-loco and engages with community members.
This follows concerns raised by members of the community in a meeting held earlier on about houses cracking as a result of blasting by mines around the community.
The Minister was joined by the eMalahleni executive mayor Cllr Linah Malatjie and other officials of the Department of Mineral Resources.
In his report back Minister Mantashe after the inspection of mines told the community members that two mines have not started with their operations.
He assured community members that mines must follow certain regulations and not mine near houses.
He said even though some mines are near houses they need to continuously check the dust levels.
He also said a technical report will also be presented and assessments have already begun.
“The mines must also contribute towards the growth of the community they are mining. They must form partnerships with community members to develop them. The Department of Mineral Resources will also make sure that mine licences are regulated. Some of the problems involve the municipality, lets give everybody a chance to solve the problems and we will give back a report after a month,” said Minister Mantashe.
Community members were given a chance to raise different issues and they complained about the dust, cracking houses, mines not developing schools, unemployment, community in need of a clinic and non growth in Phola.
They said what they have are promises from the different mines and leaving after mining in Phola and the community not benefitting.
They also complained about a social plan which was not put in place by the mines and said that the mines need to be monitored going forward.
