Mantashe on Xolobeni ruling: 'You might as well stop mining'
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has expressed his concern following a landmark judgement that compels consultations before a mining licence is issued.
“That is taking away the right to issue mining licences from the state to the communities. I can tell you that if that is the case – there will be no mining,” was Mantashe’s reaction to the judgement.
The Wild Coast community of Xolobeni won the historic legal battle in mining rights after the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the community has the right to say no to mining.
The landmark decision was handed down on Thursday.
The court found that the Mineral Resources Department cannot issue a mining rights and licences to companies without obtaining consent from the community where the mining will take place.
The case relates to an Australian company that wanted to mine titanium on the dunes of the Xolobeni area in Eastern Cape.
“A very serious conditions were also put; there must be negotiations about benefits to communities before you start mining.
“You hedge that right to benefit then it might be too closely to run mining you might as well stop mining,” says Mantashe.