The impact of mining on indigenous African communities in Limpopo (South Africa)
Abstract
The economic development of South Africa has historically relied on the role that mining has played. Despite the huge profits enjoyed by the mining company, several communities in the study area; are not able to enjoy those accumulated benefits. The company operates invariable among rural communities that have little education and few opportunities, where most people rely on traditional farming to make a living and the mine then competes with those communities for land for its operations. Asa non-renewable asset the degradation of land has wide-ranging consequences that impact the lives of the thousands of people that live on it. Many have lost their agricultural land to make way for mining operations and are in most cases offered little in return for compensation within adequate prospects of making alternative livings. Stemming from this is inevitably an increase in hunger and increased poverty among these communities, but also destruction of their traditional way of living. There can be no doubt that incidences of livelihood dispossession are occurring. The fiscal problems faced by many rural communities are often exploited by mining companies, especially when local communities reject extraction projects. This research work explores the qualitative impact of platinum mining amongst the Chaba people in the Waterberg District of Limpopo Province. Despite serious social impact and concerns, literature reveals that mitigation efforts have focused exclusively on the environment and have incorrectly presumed that dealing with this alone would certainly lessen the social consequences. Though to some extent this may assist with some aspect of the problem because of the interrelated nature of environment and social impact of mining, this research intends to fill the gap by paying attention to what could be done to mitigate the social impact of mining activities experienced mining communities, hence the justification of such a study. Data was sourced from primary and secondary sources, with primary data utilising a combination of methods. This ensured exploration of the issue through various lenses rather just one. Key Findings and recommendations: There is pervasive lack of transparency in matters relating to mining development. Firstly, the government endorsement of the distorted colonial version of authority for the chiefs that devolved exclusive decision-making power down to the traditional authorities and which excluded people who occupied the land, thus subverting customary-law systems that endorse collaborative decision-making and transparency. Secondly, the absence of and transparency is intensified by flaws in the regulatory structure that ensures consultation, agreement, and downward responsibility in mining companies. Thirdly, issues are further deepened by the apparent inability to maintain the constitutionally defended, informal land rights of local people living in rural areas who are susceptible to manipulation by traditional leaders and mining companies. Lastly, the traditional leaders' powers and duties have not been transformed to keep pace with 21st Century South Africa. The MPRDA needs to be amended to give the communities the right to refuse mining development in their lands.