Written on behalf of SWC by Val Payn
SWC Chair
Box 44, Harding
Contact cell 083 4416961
XOLOBENI MINING IS A TEST CASE OF HOW MUCH COMMITMENT GOVERNMENT HAS TO LOCAL DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES.
Should local destinies be decided locally? That is the heart of the issue around the Wild Coast Xolobeni mining debate.
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has announced that it will hold a legal hearing in Durban to hear oral submissions as to why amaPondo communities are opposed to titanium dune mining along the Wild Coast. DMR say the submissions will be taken into account in the Minister’s decision whether to give the go ahead for the mining application. This sets a precedent for DMR, who do not usually consider oral appeals.