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MINE HOUSES, COMMUNITIES SHOULD FIND COMMON GROUND

LIMPOPO Premier Cassel Mathale says his government will intervene in the disputes between several mining institutions in the province and communities in which those companies are in operation.

LIMPOPO Premier Cassel Mathale says his government will intervene in the disputes between several mining institutions in the province and communities in which those companies are in operation.

He said during his state of the province address yesterday that the contribution of mining over the years had generated wealth and uplifted the standard of living for many people in the province .

"But we are aware of sporadic conflicts between various mining communities and mining houses.

"Our view is that these disputes have to be addressed in the interest of both the communities and mines."

He said the provisions of the Mining Petroleum Resources Development Act had to be enforced to ensure that people benefitted from the mineral wealth that lies beneath the soil.

"Together with the Department of Mining, we will continue to engage with the parties involved to find lasting solutions that will benefit both the involved mines and communities," he said.

The community of Motlhotlho in Mapela has been at loggerheads with Anglo-Platinum after the company moved residents from their ancestral land to an alternative site in order to allow mining activities.

The same happened in communities in Sekhukhuneland, where mining activities had been taking place without the villagers' approval.

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