Sunday Tribune. August 12, 2007. Edition 2

Fred Kockott

PONDOLAND Queen, MaSobhuza Sigcau, has accused an Australian company, planning to excavate heavy minerals from coastal dunes on the Transkei Wild Coast, of misleading its shareholders and the Australian Stock Exchange about community support for the project.

The mining company, Minerals Commodities Ltd, claimed in its quarterly report, in October 27 last year, that the Amadiba community, where mining is planned, “continues to unanimously support the project and has formed a consultative forum supported by the traditional leaders, King and Queen of Pondoland as well as local government authorities”.

“That is a big lie,” said Sigcau, after a meeting on Thursday with residents from the Amadiba area who are concerned that mining proposals have sown division in the community.

Mineral Commodities Ltd and its South African subsidiary, Transworld Energy and Minerals (TEM), has already lodged a mining rights application with the Department of Minerals and Energy.

This follows prospecting on coastal dunes stretching 22km between the Mtentu and Mzamba rivers on the Wild Coast, south of Port Edward.

Mining representatives say these dunes are laden with heavy minerals deposits - a global resource worth $200 million (R1.4 billion).

Concerns

This resource, named Xolobeni Mineral Sands, is said to be the 10th largest heavy minerals deposit in the world. It falls in the Amadiba tribal area, and is named after the nearby Xolobeni school and store.

TEM General Manager, John Barnes, argues Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project will bring economic upliftment and huge benefits to the local community.

However, concerns have arisen that land rights are not only being ignored, but violated by mining representatives planning but not consulting those living there.

Some residents, environmental groups and NGOs are also concerned mining plans have jeopardised important eco-tourism initiatives in an area.

Social worker and development consultant, John Clarke, is assisting the Amadiba Crisis Committee in accessing information about the mining plans.

Sigcau said unnecessary conflict and division had now arisen in the Amadiba community, which she and King Mpondombini Sigcau and other senior traditional leaders had been called upon to address.

On Thursday, representatives of the Amadiba Crisis Committee were invited to the Quakeni Great Place (the highest traditional council in the area) to share their concerns.

Executive members of Xolco, a black economic empowerment partner, which holds a 26% stake in the project, were also invited.

Chairing the meeting, a representative of the King’s council, Nkosi MG Cinani, said Xolco had also been invited to respond to residents’ concerns about mining plans.

Cinani expressed concern that Xolco executives had brought almost 100 people to demonstrate support for the mining proposals.

He ruled they could stay, but not contribute to discussions, as this would spark tensions and cause further confusion.

“Our aim now is to avoid a crisis. There are people saying there is going to be bloodshed. We don’t want that. We must talk to avoid any killings,” said Cinani.

It was resolved that a delegation led by the King and Queen would visit the proposed mining areas on September 5 and 6, accompanied by the Xolco executive committee.

“We want to hear from the people who will be affected by the mining,” said Cinani. “It is best for us to go there.”

Interviewed after the meeting, Cinani and OR Tambo district Mayor, Zoleka Capa, agreed that reports suggesting the Amadiba community unanimously supported the mining plans were grossly misleading.

Barnes and TEM’s public relations consultant, Pat Roberts, have told the Sunday Tribune that as there was no traditional chief presiding over the immediate area where mining was planned, mining representatives had consulted at a higher level. “We’ve gone to the paramount chief - the head of the Amadiba Tribal Authority. We’ve been working with him,” said Barnes.

But he could not name this chief, provide contact details or facilitate an interview. Roberts also could not name the chief, but arranged for the Tribune to be provided with minutes of public meetings held.

Posted on August 12th, 2007
Filed under: Newspaper and Media