On the 22 May 2018 Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, WRDM Executive Mayor, Cllr Boyce Maneli, Executive Mayor, Cllr Maphefo Mogale-Letsie and the Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) met with community of Merafong as part of the Mining Charter consultation roadshow that is aimed at seeking inputs from members of the public on the draft mining charter The event was held at the Carletonville Sports Complex. Mining stakeholders such as Sibanye Stillwater, Anglo Gold Ashanti, Gold fields and Harmony were also part of the event.
Cllr Mogale Letsie welcomed everyone present and thanked them for attending the consultative meeting as this was a good opportunity for the community to engage in talks and raise concerns that are affecting them.
According to the Minister “We want to hear all the views of everyone affected, they will help us to reshape the department going forward .As we consult, people raise issues beyond the mining charter that affect them daily and we take note of that.”
Mantashe said it was important that they took note of all the concerns the community raised especially the social responsibility aspects .He said the consultations were more of an educational drive for the Department and that this is a continuation of transformation in the mining sector.
Mantashe stated that the objective of the charter was also to encourage black communities to produce more black industrialists.
A presentation was then done on the Mining Charter and concerns were raised.
One of the highlighted concerns was the “Zama Zama’s” illegal mining happening in Merafong which was of big concern to the community, as Illegal miners damaged the infrastructure and is costing the municipality major losses. One of the community members who didn’t want his name to be publishes said he was very happy about the outcomes of the meeting and hopes that everything that was discussed will be taken into consideration.
