A Concept With No Meaning For Mines In Tsantsabane

Legislation that regulates mines in SouthAfrica has the best intentions and even the foreword of the MINERALAND PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENTACTis referred to as "equitable access to and sustainable development....", if you zoom in on mines inTsantsabane they have a narrow or completely different approach to sustainable development which is not at all in line with the intentions of the legislation and their policies.

About a year ago, the community ofTsantsabane blocked several access routes to activate discussions regarding sustainable development with almost 38 mines. Many mine managers made (empty) promises and committed themselves to the sustainable development of Tsantsabane and specific job creation and the development of especially small businesses which are considered to be the backbone of the economy Nothing has changed in essence.

Sustainable development meets the current needs without any compromise to the future generations and focuses especially on areas such as the (local) economy, environment, education, and social-societal challenges. How many of the local mines (big and small) can really write their name next to sustainable projects within Tsantsabane? We all know that the mines that are involved somewhere do so only to tick the boxes for their reports to DMRE. If small business owners raise this issue they are seen as arrogant while mine managers know exactly what their legal obligations are.

In his provincial speech of 2022, Dr. Zamani Saul mentioned the mineral wealth in the Northern Cape and specifically in the Gamagara corridor. However, if you look at towns like Danielskuil, Olifantshoek, and Postmasburg, it is extremely difficult to explain to a primary school child how rich the area is looking at the shocking poverty around us.Then my son asks me: "Why is the mine building a library for R21m, but our schools get mobile classrooms?"

I don't work in the mining industry, but my few brain cells convince me that mine management should compile quarterly and annual reports of their involvement and budget spent in relation to sustainable development in their host communities.These reports must then be submitted to the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE) because it is a legal obligation as contained in their mining licenses, but what have these mines really contributed to sustainable development? Monitor the DMRE inTsantsabane if those reports paint the real picture. Why are these mines not being called to account?

In Postmasburg, everyone knows of only one mine that is visible in local economic development in particular. It is then this very mining group that is always in the crossfire when it comes to local economic development. When will the focus shift to the other mines in Tsantsabane that are nowhere to be seen in terms of economic sustainability? Only two mines are involved in Enterprise Development for small businesses, but the small businesses involved in these programs go through a strict selection process to only get equipment for their small businesses and there is no plan for any sustainable business

- Deur Martin Olyn

with the relevant SMME. It seems that local mines thrive on once-off handouts to SMMEs, but do not want to commit to sustainable development in any way. If you mention it in meetings, they have the best defenses and usually it is people who are not even from the region, area, or province who want to give you a lecture about local economic development, procurement, and doorstep communities.

Mine managers are arrogant when they are cornered in meetings by frustrated small businesses. Urgent court applications and threatening lawyers' letters have long since lost their teeth because mining companies keep running away from their responsibility to sustainable projects which is a legal duty as part of their compliance.The same applies to contractor companies on all the mines that shine in their absence when it comes to sustainable development but record huge profits and spend the money in other provinces and countries.

Regardless of how you approach the matter, the growing mining development contributes to a large extent to social evils such as drugs, crime, and violence and when the community protests and high-ranking politicians make a lot of empty promises, these mining companies are nowhere to be seen.

The people ofTsantsabane are now tired of school bags being distributed to learnersmarketing and brand awareness. Why can't a local

Jsmall business manufacture these school bags themselves to create jobs?The community is tired of mine indaba's with drawn-out empty speeches.The people ofTsantsabane are looking for sustainable economic development and the actual inclusion and development of local small businesses in supply chain and procurement, not once-off handouts of lawnmowers and gas stoves. Local business forums join hands to hold mines to account to make Tsantsabane a winning town. You fight among yourselves and meanwhile, the mines continue with their daily business.

Tsantsabane is the fleshpot of the Northern Cape where almost 40 mines record millions of profits and drag you to court if you dare to take them on regarding their legal obligations and responsibilities. It has long been clear that the mines have no interest in the sustainable development ofTsantsabane. The two large mines that are involved in economic development in Postmasburg must shift their focus to sustainable economic development that creates jobs and raises people's standard of living and morale. Keep the lawnmower, pots and pans, and backpacks. We are long past that!

It is clear that "Sustainable development" is a concept with no meaning for the mining giants inTsantsabane.They are only here to make money and stripTsantsabane and their people of their rich minerals.A revolution is coming!

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