The Pan African Resources Engages community in Snake Park

Daniel Mkhwanazi

Pan African is a mining company together with Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) that deals with tailings retreatment mostly on the West Rand of Johannesburg.

On the 26th of July 2024, Pan African Resources together with Mogale Tailings Retreatment (MTR) held a very interesting community training meeting which was about the tailings retreatment of the Vlakfontein tailing that is initially going to take place after 5 years.

The mining company had started this initiative to engage with affected communities on the tailings storage facilities and their toxicity towards the neighboring communities. The councilor of Ward 129 Miss Phumlile Shange was the first individual to warmly welcome and warmly open up yet she spoke about Pan African Resources together with Mogale Tailings Retreatment and stated that the mining company are willing to engage with the community residents.

Mariette Liefferink of the Federation of a Sustainable Environment is a nongovernmental organization that she said is not affiliated with the mining company but it delivers presentations on the tailings and management of the tailing storage facilities, she further explained that the tailings contain toxins such as arsenic and uranium chemicals yet the tailing has to be managed properly as the mining companies should do. She also explained the MPRDA and the National Environmental Management Waste Act. 59 of 2008, Laws about the management of tailing storage facilities, National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998. Also with Mine Health and Safety Regulations.

Amongst the community members, stakeholders, and activists there was a moment of questions and discussion in which one of the community residents Bongani asked about how the disadvantaged group would benefit from the company since they are limited to or working certain jobs, and how this reflects on him.

Another individual who is a businessman also added on the business forums, how the mining company gives corporate benefits for the community and businesses as it should balance on both parties.

As we reached the end of the meeting Mr Sonwabo Modimoeng the program director then said that if there were any enquiries the community members or businessmen could reach out to their company email address: mtrv@mogaletr.co.za