Mine accused of illegally excluding community group

A Mpumalanga mining firm is denying allegations that it failed to fulfil its duty to empower the host community.

- Masoka Dube

Strathrae coal mine in Carolina said the community fails to see its contribution because its divided.

In a letter to Asibambaneni Progressive Development Forum, Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen, general manager for Coal Operations Strathrae Colliery, said in future he would not interact with it as he does not recognise the structure.

Van Nieuwenhuizen was responding to a letter in which the community accused his mine of not empowering the locals in terms of job creation and business empowerment.

He requested the community contact the management of the mine through the structure known as 21 Youth Development Structure (21 YDS), which was the structure introduced to him.

"Strathrae Colliery reiterates that the correct manner to engage is through 21 YDS Structure. To maintain clarity and avoid confusion, Strathrae Colliery wishes to reiterate its commitment to engaging with all affected individuals and members of the communities.

"To ensure orderly and structured interactions, we will continue to engage with the recognised community structure, as designated by the community itself.