'MACUA denounces Glencore’s Rhovan Vanadium Mine for refusing to engage and consult with local community from whose land they extract land’ 22 May 2024

MACUA strongly condemns Glencore’s Rhovan Vanadium Mine for disregarding the local community of Bethanie in South Africa. Despite claiming to benefit the community, the stark reality is that residents continue to suffer from poverty and high unemployment rates. The mine has failed to consult with the community on their Social and Labour Plan commitments, instead colluding with small groups and political entities. Operating illegally without an approved SLP, the mine has ignored the community's needs. The residents have protested for three weeks, demanding acknowledgment and resolution. We urgently call on the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to intervene and address this injustice. Let's prioritize the rights and welfare of affected communities and hold mining companies accountable for their obligations. MACUA stands firm in advocating for mining-affected communities nationwide.

The mine is currently operating illegally as it has not yet consulted the community on what the Social and Labour Plans(SLP) should focus on, and the DMRE has not approved its SLP, thus leaving the mine to operate illegally. According to the Mineral Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), a Mining Licences can only be granted on the basis of an approved SLP. The community have been trying to engage the mine for more than two years, and has consistently pointed out that the projects that the mine claims to have provided for the community, are either not functioning or are not benefiting the community in the way that the community wishes to be developed.