Cape Town – Africa’s largest mining-focused event, the Mining Indaba kicks off on Monday and the Mining Affected Communities in Action (MACUA) has described it as “illegitimate”, as it accused it of being held without any “input or consultation” from what it terms “affected communities”.
The annual Mining Indaba is the largest conference of over 7 000 delegates who come together every year to share and create dialogue that is intended to spark change and ultimately, drive investment.
According to SABC, the founder and Director of Peta Attorneys, Dineo Peta said this year’s gathering will serve as an opportunity to attract investment from international energy supply players.
The annual Indaba is expected to run until Thursday, as it explores ways in which to attract investments in African mining.
“[We aim] to discover pockets of excellence and how this can be replicated across our continent,” EWN quoted Mining Indaba senior manager for communications strategy, Laura Cornish, as saying.
However, MACUA said in a statement that it rejected the Mining Indaba “for its complete lack of community participation and its attempts to betray the struggles of mining affected communities by colluding with mining companies and the vested interest of capital”.
Date: 03 February 2023
To: All Media Editors, Journalists and News Outlets
RE: MACUA Rejects Alternative Mining Indaba as an Illegitimate attempt to sell-out mining affected communities. @eNCA @AfricanAmdc @DMRE_ZA @CJ_Coalition @CALS_ZA@CentreEnvRights @Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/R0oxO7qSbd
— Mining Affected Communities United in Action (@macua_sa) February 2, 2023
MACUA said although the Mining indaba started as a genuine attempt to represent affected mining communities against the rapacious and destructive mining industry, it “has become the fiefdom of well-resourced and well-funded NGOs and international funders who have slowly eroded the community content…”
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe is set to open the event on Monday, while President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address delegates on Tuesday.
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Picture: Twitter/ @LangaMav
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
