Police fire at mine protesters

Published Nov 27, 2014

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Johannesburg - South African police fired rubber bullets to disperse protesters who blocked a highway with rocks and tires near Ivanhoe Mines’s Platreef project to demonstrate against plans to start building the $1.6 billion (R18 billion) platinum mine.

Some members of the local community are opposed to the approval of a license that allows billionaire Robert Friedland’s Ivanhoe to develop Platreef.

The South African Police Service removed the protesters and arrested three, according to spokesman Steve Mabuza.

Ivanhoe said there were about 100 protesters while police estimated between 300 and 500.

“The police are shooting at us with rubber bullets and we have no idea why. This is a peaceful protest,” said Frans Makhafola, deputy chairman of the Masehlaneng Development Committee, one of the bodies representing the community.

“We want further engagement and more talks to happen.”

Ivanhoe plans to exploit part of the world’s largest platinum-bearing geological feature, known as the Bushveld Complex.

Platreef is next to Anglo American Platinum’s Mogalakwena mine, the biggest and most profitable mine owned by the world’s largest producer.

When Platreef starts production in 2020, it’s projected to become the lowest-cost platinum-group metal producer in Africa, according to the company.

“Ivanhoe Mines is confident that the overwhelming majority of people in our host communities support the Platreef Project,” the company said in an e-mailed response to queries.

“The company will not be held hostage by a small group of professional, self-serving agitators whose agenda and conduct is contrary to the majority interests.”

 

Equity Ownership

 

Ivanhoe said it has granted equity ownership in the project to community trusts that represent approximately 150 000 local residents.

The protesters were falsely informed that the company would be recruiting workers, Ivanhoe said.

South Africa has an unemployment rate of about 25 percent.

“We are told that the contractors for the mine will be there tomorrow,” Mabuza said.

“These people are fighting for jobs as well.”

South Africa accounts for about three-quarters of world production of platinum. - Bloomberg News

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