In response to both the West Wits advert and their statements at the public meetings, as well as matters on public record.
Much of the area in question, and specifically the proposed areas, were extensively opencast mined in the ’80s. The response from West Wits was that there are no such records at DRD. They would investigate and get back to us. At least half a dozen now defunct mines had the mining rights involved, only one being DRD. We are still awaiting the results of their investigation, but our homes still bear the scars.
Some of the directors of West Wits Mining were directors of mines in the neighbourhood, which either went bankrupt or were liquidated without the sites being rehabilitated. As this indicates mismanagement of the prescribed rehabilitation trust fund and reluctance to follow through by using the DMR rehabilitation funds to make the areas safe for the communities, why should we expect a different outcome this time?
The diagrams in the notices that have been put up in various places in the community are deliberately obscure and almost impossible to interpret. They also differ from the scoping report, and the scoping report differs from what was explained at the public meeting.
Global best practice stipulates that mining should not take place within 500m of railways, power lines, main roads and residential areas. Here we have the lot.
Please explain why, as an international company, you ignore these measures to which you probably adhere strictly in Australia.
