SSSM and EFF march to demand mining rights for locals

Burgersfort

Scores of Sekhukhune Small Scale Miners (SSSM), joined by EFF members and supporters, have on Friday 26 April, marched to deliver a memorandum of demands at Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (FTLM) Offices in Burgersfort.

They were accusing the local mining companies of benefiting from their minerals while thousands of residents in Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) are living below the poverty line.

The local miners, together with the EFF, demanded the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to issue mining permits to benefit Sekhukhune based small scale miners.

Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) is one of the geographical structures that contains the largest reserves of Platinum Group Metals in the world with other minerals located in the area such as palladium, iridium, rutheum, chrome, copper vanadium, nickel, iron, cobalt and others.

According to SSSM Chairperson, Eddie Phasha, they were demonstrating because the mining sector contributes immensely in the district’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), however, residents are sidelined and not benefiting from the local economy.

“The sad part about this sector is that it only benefits white people who are been recognized and given mining permits. The most concerning part is that the local municipality and relevant departments are silent and withheld the opportunities of Sekhukhune Small Scales Miners, who are ready to comply and develop as Gauteng was developed by its minerals,” Phasha said.

He said they are demanding mining permits to be issued to SSSM to be able to mine legally and make a living in a lawful way.

“Many families are living in poverty while we have minerals on our land. We can’t fail to mine on our land while other are enriching themselves with our minerals,” he said.

Phasha said they are demanding local mines to comply with social labor plans and develop the communities in terms of access roads, electricity provision and other water infrastructure.

“We also demand the mines to develop our local traditional leaders by building them proper offices. We also demand big mining companies to empower Sekhukhune Small Scale Miners by allowing them to mine on the surface,” he said.

 In conclusion, Phasha made a clarion call to DMRE, mining companies and investors to consider recognizing small scale miners in the mineral business.

“We are the owners of this wealth around Sekhukhune and we don’t deserve to be treated as criminals on our land. Enough is enough with economic hardships and white monopoly capital. We have rights to mine on our land,” he said.

Phasha stated that they are expecting their memorandum to be responded within 14 working days.