Tunatazama - Community Monitors

North WestPhokengRustenburgSouth Africa

Public participation hearings on a new chrome mine

Tebogo Dikale

Public participation hearings on new chrome mine

Public participation events started on 08 to 11 April 2024, around community centres in Phokeng. The aim was to inform the community and give consent to the opening of a chrome mine in the village by Royal Bafokeng Resources, a business entity of Royal Bafokeng.

Royal Bafokeng Administration, Royal Bafokeng Holding, and Royal Bafokeng Resources proposed the community “Morafe” to operate an open cast mine after applying for a license from the Department of Mineral Resource and Energy (DMRE). Royal Bafokeng Resources as an entity in charge of community resources announced different platforms at the beginning of April 2024, to communicate with Morafe. This made a road map to have engagement and discussions around the mine operation through public participation.

The affected sections are Tshwara, Punodung, Lemenong, and Windsor, as those sections are near the identified area named Boekenhoufontein. RBR has been given the green light by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) via Sebadi Environmental Consultant to go ahead with the project. Morafe didn’t come in numbers on those specific dates.

The event took place on different dates as Phokeng is very big compared to other regions (Kgale, Lenatong). (Bobuampya, Lefaragatlhe). (Masosobane, Raffredy). (Winsor, Tshwara, Lemenong, and others so that it can do its consultation and give a report back to the Administration (RBA/RBH). Those who attended the meeting raised several concerns, particularly those affected who were giving the green light to the project. Others on the other hand had concerns about their burial side where their ancestors were buried, as the graves have to be relocated. Other concerns were on environmental impact that will be brought by the mine.

The reason given by RBR to an open cast mine is to take advantage of the resources we have underground to invest in Morafe and in our economic development to create jobs in the area. Royal Bafokeng Resources as an entity responded by saying the consultation is still ongoing as it wants to cover all aspects. There will be another date for the announcement.