Kangra to update communities on the development of the Kusipongo coal reserve
PRESS RELEASE
14 February 2022, Johannesburg
KANGRA TO UPDATE COMMUNITIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KUSIPONGO COAL RESERVE
Kangra mine located in Saul Mkhizeville, Mpumalanga, will hold a meeting with community forums to discuss the development of the Kusipongo coal resource
Coal mining company Kangra, a subsidiary of mining investment company Menar, began mining operations at its Udumo adit on 09 February 2022. Udumo forms part of the Kusipongo coal reserve.
Following this development, Kangra has received a memorandum of demands from the Daggakraal community, located in Ward 10 of the Dr Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality. The list of demands includes the appointment of community members who will represent Daggakraal in employment relations, the prioritisation of employment of the Daggakraal community members when economic opportunities arise, the procurement of services by Kangra from Daggakraal companies and the provision of school uniforms to households who cannot afford to purchase uniforms for school children.
Kangra would like to clarify the status of the Udumo project in relation to the Daggakraal community. The Kusipongo reserve seats over both Dr Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality and Mkhondo Local Municipality.
The Kusipongo reserve will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 (Udumo) is located in the Mkhondo Local Municipality. Phase 2 (Balgarthan A) is in the jurisdiction of the Dr Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality. At this stage, the development of Balgarthan A is at a planning stage as regulatory approvals are still pending.
Kangra’s policy is to give priority to residents of our host communities when opportunities that match available skills and capabilities become available. The opportunities include employment and procurement. This is a crucial part of Kangra’s policy and the company will implement it when the development of Balgarthen A commences. In addition, local municipalities are part of the development of Social Labour Plans.
In a meeting held between Kangra and the Dr Pixley Municipality officials on 10 February 2022, a decision was reached to convene a meeting with the recognised community forums of Donkerhoek, Driefontein, and PWF to further discuss the mine’s plans for developing Kusipongo and the benefits that might accrue to local communities. The aim of the meeting is also to ensure that all constituent communities are sufficiently represented in the community forums which are the relevant consultative bodies.
The company is committed to working closely with the municipalities and authorities to ensure the successful launch of all its projects for the benefit of all stakeholders while ensuring that all developments are communicated with the relevant communities.
For more information, contact:
Menar Corporate Communication Department: Siphiwe Tame
Tel: +27 11 783 7996 | Email: pr@menar.com