At the official handover of five SLP road and water infrastructure projects in Madibeng, Minister Mantashe said the purpose of Social and Labour Plans is to give mining a humane face and ensure mining coexists with communities.

Minister Gwede Mantashe has officially handed over five SLP water road infrastructure projects to the Department of Water and Sanitation. The projects will benefit Madibeng Municipality areas within Brits, North West. The projects were provided by Samancor Western Chrome Mine.

Minister Gwede Mantashe to hand over Samancor Social and Labour Plan Projects in Brits, NW

[LISTEN 🔊] DMPR Deputy Minister, Phumzile Mgcina at the Batlhaping Ba Ga-Maidi Mining Investment Roundtable in Manthe: “We support small-scale miners to grow their business and participate in the economy.” #DMPR #SmallScaleMining #MiningInvestment #NorthWest #GovZAupdates #DMPR

Ms. Neo Nthoesane, spoke at the Mining Investment, Localisation and Community Development Roundtable in Manthe, Taung (NW): “In our department, we have the Small Scale Fund, which assists mining permit holders with machinery and running cost for emerging miners.”

Mantashe made a strong appeal to the community of Ramokoka. He said the clinic is not his clinic, not Northam's clinic, and not just the Department of Health's clinic - it is the community's clinic. He begged the community to defend and protect it and not to vandalise it.

The Minister formally handed the clinic to the Department of Health, urging the department to staff it and resource it. He acknowledged the qualified nursing sister present and the value of specialised nursing skills including general nursing, midwifery and community health.

Speaking about the area where Northam operates - in Moses Kotane Local Municipality - Mantashe said mines have a responsibility to develop both mining areas and labour-sending areas. He stressed that development must follow where people are affected by mining operations.

Mantashe explained that the SLP is what gives mining a humane face. Mining is not just about digging holes & leaving holes open. When a mine builds a clinic, a school, or supports food production and livestock projects, it is providing a service and investing in people's future.

The Minister noted that according to recent data, mining remains the most positive contributor to the fiscus through taxes, royalties and other financial contributions. He said this money becomes taxpayers' money that helps everyone.

Mantashe reaffirmed the principle in SA law that while land may be privately owned, minerals below the surface belong to the state on behalf of all the people. Minerals are deposited by God in a particular place not only for those who live there, but for the whole country.

Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, today officially handed over the Ramokoka Clinic to the Department of Health and the community of Ramokoka. The clinic, built by Northam Platinum Zondereinde, is an SLP project aimed at giving mining a human face.

Minister Gwede Mantashe with Deputy Minister Phumzile Mgcina are in Ramokokastad (North West) to handover Ramokokastad Clinic which is a Social Labour Plan Project by Northam Platinum Mine (Zondereinde)