Alternative Mining Indaba 2013
Civil society representatives gathered in a parallel event to South African’s Mining Indaba in Cape Town in early February. The official gathering styles itself as the “world’s largest mining investment conference.” The 4th Alternative Mining Indaba (AMI) gathered people from across Africa, with other participants coming in solidarity from further afield, to critique the corporate mining agenda.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=12133.
A call to ‘prove that mines develop South Africa’
South Africa has recently hosted both the Mining Indaba and the Alternative Mining Indaba. The dichotomy between this corporate and people’s agenda is clear in debates within the country. Whereas the Government is clear it wishes to increase tax revenues and employment from the industry, others are calling into question whether the country does benefit from its historic association with mining. Activists from the Alternative Mining Indaba marched on the official venue demanding “profit must not come before people”, and noting the recent problems in employment around South African mines. This is at the forefront of South African minds as Amplats (Anglo American Platinum) is arguing with the government and unions over its plans for large-scale retrenchments in the their platinum mines, and details of the massacre at Lonmin’s Marikana mine continue to be published.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=12134.
Conflict gold in Africa – from Mali to Darfur
‘Conflict gold’ was on the agenda of the 2013 African Mining Indaba. However, the corporate definition of what is conflict gold may be more narrrowly in their self-interest, especially where they can ‘name & blame’ the problem as one of poor artisanal miners. Although that may be true in places such as Darfur, that definition may miss the larger picture of corporate gold mining in countries in conflict, for instance in Mali.
See http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=12137.
Anglo CEO says South Africa licence threats ‘out of order’
Despite threats from government officials to review mining licences, Anglo American Platinum will continue with restructuring its mining operations in South Africa, reports Reuters. Incoming chief executive officer Mark Cutifani said at an African mining conference this week, “Threats to licences are out of order … we shouldn’t be threatening licenses when a company is looking at preserving its life.”
See http://www.mining.com/anglo-ceo-says-south-africa-licence-threats-out-of-order-33020/.