Among others, it found possible violations of communities’ rights to food, water, housing and a healthy environment as well as a failure by the mining house to promote sustainable development as required by the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002.
The report went on to call on the government and Anglo Platinum to take immediate action, including giving communities greater rights to be fully consulted and for communities to give informed consent before mining concessions are awarded.
Today, the Farlam commission sits in the aftermath of Marikana, while a growing discontent brews within mining communities.
If we hope to provide a sound and stable policy environment in which mineral extraction can occur, then the brutal extraction of minerals can no longer only be based on economic reasons, but must be based on a balanced policy of accountability to the communities affected by mining.
Good governance and a redistribution of the proceeds of mining (must be included) so that communities are able to develop and benefit from the activities taking place in their backyards in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
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