TSX-listed Ivanhoe Mines has hit back at criticism it has received from Mining Watch Canada about its Platreef underground mine, currently under development near Mokopane.
The Platreef site near Mokopane showing the Shaft 1 headgear (photo: Arthur Tassell).
In a recent release on its website, Mining Watch Canada refers to alleged “human rights abuses and illegal operations” by Ivanhoe and its subsidiary, Ivanplats, and mentions in particular the “relocation of hundreds of ancestral graves” in an area excluded from Ivanplats’ designated mining area.
In its response, Ivanhoe says it “condemns in the strongest terms possible the attempt by Mining Watch Canada – and its dishonest associates in South Africa – to spread falsehoods about the Platreef mine development project in the South African province of Limpopo. The recycled and false allegations made by Mining Watch Canada are not new and have been previously rebutted by Ivanhoe Mines and its South African subsidiary Ivanplats. However, it is important to repeat the company’s position for the benefit of shareholders, the media and the public at large.
“Ivanhoe Mines is disappointed, although not surprised, that Mining Watch Canada has chosen to act as a Canadian blinkered cheerleader for the falsehoods and misrepresentations that have been perpetuated, and violent acts that have been staged, by South African activist Aubrey Langa who has previously been convicted by South African courts of furnishing false information, robbery and attempted murder. Mr Langa is recognised for waging what one prominent South African newspaper recently described as his ‘single-minded campaign’ against the Platreef mine currently being developed by Ivanplats in Limpopo province.”
Ivanhoe points out that Ivanplats is 26 %-owned by South African broad-based black economic empowerment partners – including 20 % belonging to 20 local communities with a combined population of approximately 150 000. A further 3 % is in the hands of historically disadvantaged project employees with the remaining 3 % of the 26 % being held by local entrepreneurs.
Ivanhoe notes that Mining Watch Canada, which it describes as an “anti-mining organisation” has never contacted senior representatives of Ivanhoe Mines or Ivanplats and sought to openly discuss any purported concerns. It says that the organisation’s news release, issued on 18 May, is “a recitation of false allegations and unsupported claims by Mr Langa and his cohorts” and emphasises that – contrary to claims promoted by Mining Watch – Ivanplats has demonstrated the utmost respect for historical gravesites and has fully complied with all prescriptions laid down by the relevant authorities.”
Work at the Platreef site is currently focused on the sinking of the No 1 Shaft with the main sink due to start in early June this year. Shaft 1 will provide early development access into the deposit and will be utilised to fast track production during the first phase of the project. An in-depth article on the project appeared in Modern Mining’s April 2016 issue.
