• AFRICAN BUZZ
CANYON DELIVERS ON SLP
Menar
Celebrations at the recent handover of the Bonginhlanhla Stimulation Centre in Middelburg .
Coal exploration and mining company Canyon Coal , a subsidiary of investment company Menar , officially handed over the R1.5-million worth of facilities to the special needs centre Bonginhlanhla Stimulation Centre , in Middelburg recently .
The purchase and transfer of the property was as part of an extension of Canyon ’ s original social and labour plan ( SLP ) initiative for Canyon Coal ’ s Hakhano Colliery , in Middelburg , Mpumalanga . The facility has been operational since January 2020 , but the official handover event was delayed owing to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions .
Speaking at the handover Steve Tshwete Local Municipality assistant director for Local Economic Development ( LED ), Michael Nkosi , expressed appreciation for Canyon Coal ’ s contribution to economic development . He said government ’ s budgets were overstretched for competing needs . “ We are happy that companies like Canyon are contributing to the development of our communities ,” he said .
“ For the first time , our centre will have a facility that we own , as previously we rented premises . To own a property is very important for the centre as it allows us to be able to plan for the future , without having to worry about whether we will have to move every few years . It is also unsettling for our vulnerable learners , who struggle to adapt to new environments and places , to keep moving premises ,” said Bonginhlanhla Stimulation Centre Chairperson Ellie Magagula .
Menar Chairperson Mpumelelo Mkhabela stated that education was the equaliser in society , which was why Canyon Coal selected a project of this nature to support . He said there was a need for stability in mining communities to enable mining companies to continue to operate , create jobs and contribute substantively to social upliftment . “ We are among those
6 • African Mining • June 2021 companies who don ’ t need to be told to do the right thing because we are a responsible corporate citizen . The life of mine of Hakhano Colliery has come to an end , but the legacy of the investment we have made in Bonginhlanhla will have a positive impact for many years to come ,” Mkhabela said .
Menar Coal Social Labour Plan ( SLP ) Manager Nthabiseng Ocia Mueti explained that the local economic development ( LED ) project was identified in conjunction with the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and the Department of Mineral Resources . “ It goes to show what we can achieve when we collaborate with stakeholders ,” Mueti said .
Department of Mineral Resources deputy director for SLPs , Sibongile Radebe , praised Canyon Coal for not just complying with its long fulfilled SLP requirements but for going far above and beyond the minimum requirement for an SLP commitment . “ Canyon Coal has provided support for the most vulnerable in our society and is leaving a lasting positive legacy , which should serve as an example to other mining companies about what can be achieved ,” Radebe highlighted .
The new facility has classrooms , a kitchen , offices , toilets , indoor and outdoor play areas , which have been upgraded by the centre to make them suitable for the special needs of the learners . The new premise is larger than the ones , which the centre used previously , enabling for smaller classes , additional care , and therapeutics to learners , which was not possible in the past .
The centre accommodates around 50 learners , who live in and around the Middelburg region , with most of them coming from disadvantaged families . The learners who attend the centre range from 3 – 18 years old , with a new section having been established for older learners aged from 18 – 35 years .
www . africanmining . co . za