Mining
Mining
Call for Miners to Fight Retrenchments
The Democratic Left (DLF) has urged Anglo Platinum (Amplats) workers to fight their planned retrenchment.
The DLF spokesperson, Mazibuko Jara, points out that the DLF fully supports the decision of all Amplats workers to resist, fight and stop the retrenchments.
Jara states that workers' representatives briefed the national steering committee of the DFL about a decision to resist the retrenchments, adding that government should use its power to ensure that no single job is lost at Amplats.
To read the article titled, “Fight Amplats job cuts, urges body,” click here.Source:Fin24Call to Transform Mining Industry
Anti-apartheid activist, Mamphela Ramphele, has warned unrest in the mining and agricultural sectors will continue if efforts are not made to change the industries' dynamics.
Speaking at the mining indaba in Cape Town, the Gold Fields chair and struggle stalwart, said that, “It's time to think differently … the mining industry has no option but to make a fresh start [if it hopes to survive]."
Ramphele said it is important for business government and labour to heed the wake-up call of the unrest and the ‘bombs in South Africa waiting to go off’.
To read the article title, “Mining and agriculture must change to survive, says Ramphele,” click here.Source:Mail & GuardianNGO Lays Criminal Charges Against Platmin
An environmental NGO, Federation for a Sustainable Environment, has laid criminal charges against mining group Platmin, a company operating an open cast mine on the doorstep of the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve.
Federation for a Sustainable Environment director, Mariette Liefferink, says they have brought charges because the mine does not have a water licence.
The mine is situated in a proposed heritage park that would link the Pilanesberg and the Madikwe nature reserves with each other and create a 90-kilometre long migration route for the Big Five.
To read the article titled, “NGO lays criminal charges against mining group Platmin,” click here.Source:Sowetan LiveNGO, Govt, Set Up Base for Flood Victims
Doctors without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontierès (MSF), the South African Police Services and the Musina Local Municipality have set up a base at Dongola, Limpopo.
The base aimed at providing shelter to more than 150 flood victims, some of which have been stranded on rooftops in the greater Mapungubwe area and rescued by military helicopter.
Meanwhile, Coal of Africa Limited, a mining company operating in the area, has forced to halt its operations.
To read the article titled, “Limpopo floods halt coal mine operations,” click here.Source:News24Lonmin Nominated Worst Company
The environmental organisation, groundWork, has nominated Lonmin as one of the world’s worst companies of 2012.
groundWork director, Bobby Peek, points out that, “This submission was based on the human rights violations and environmental destruction that the corporation has carried out since the establishment of its mine in the Marikana region...”
Lonmin’s name was submitted by groundWork and The Bench Marks Foundation for the Public Eye Awards.
To read the article titled, “Lonmin nominated for worst company,” click here.Source:The CitizenZim Govt Moots Funding NGOs
Zimbabwe’s mines and mining development minister, Obert Mpofu, says government is ‘seriously’ considering funding NGOs with interest in diamond mining at Chiadzwa.
Minister Mpofu extended an olive branch to hostile NGOs that have been peddling falsehoods about the Chiadzwa diamonds.
"Why should a Zimbabwean be funded and supported by a foreigner? If we brought our civil society on board on all issues and prepared a budget for them, I think they would be behaving differently. One who pays the piper calls the tune," he explained.
To read the article titled, “Govt moots funding NGOs,” click here.Source:All AfricaSAIRR: Marikana Could Force Policy Change
The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) says the Marikana shooting may force the African National Congress to abandon failing policies.
SAIRR chief executive, John Kane-Berman, points out that the government will find it harder to defend a shoot to kill policing policy.
Kane-Berman is of the view that, "Perhaps now that the whole world has seen the consequences at Marikana, ministers such as Susan Shabangu, formerly of the police ministry but now at mining, are going to be less inclined to urge policemen to shoot to kill."
To read the article titled, “SAIRR: Marikana could force ANC policy change,” click here.Source:Mail & GuardianCall to Restore Aid to Marikana
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI), a civil rights group representing the majority of families of those who died during the Marikana tragedy, is hoping a meeting with government will restore financial aid.
The organisation says that if talks fail today, it will be compelled to seek legal action, adding that financial assistance for families to attend the inquiry in the North West stopped.
"To have truth and justice for the families about which this really should be revolving, we will do whatever it takes. One of the steps that we will probably take if government doesn't change its mind about funding is to seek urgent interim relief in the courts," says Jackie Dugard, the organisation’s representative.
To read the article titled, “Restore aid to Marikana families: Civil rights group,” click here.Source:SABC NewsCommittee Demands the Release of Miners
The National Strike Committee, a committee claiming to represent striking miners in three provinces, says it will march to demand the release of their colleagues in custody.
The committee chairperson, Elias Jiba, points out that, "We will march to the Union Buildings next month to demand, among other things, the release of all unjustly arrested strikers."
Jiba says the organisation was outraged by the arrests of its leaders at Lonmin's mine in Marikana and at the Bokoni Platinum mine in Limpopo.
To read the article titled, “Release arrested miners: Committee,” click here.Source:The CitizenNGO Demands the Release of Marikana 4
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) has called for the release of the four Lonmin miners arrested in connection with killings at the Marikana hostels.
In a press statement, SERI attorney, Teboho Mosikili, points out that, "It appears, prima facie, that the arrested persons were targeted because they were assisting us at the commission [Farlam Judicial Commission of Inquiry]."
Mosikili maintains that SERI can no longer - in good conscience - provide to the commission or the parties to it, information relating to the identities of potential witnesses who may provide information and testimony adverse to the police.
To read the article titled, “Release Marikana 4 - rights group,” click here.Source:News24
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