Mining in Rustenburg does not just bring wealth. With the influx of people, it has added to the massive strain on the region’s resources.
Anglo Platinum, the largest miner in the area, employs about 22 000 people directly and another 16 000 contract workers.
Housing is the biggest challenge, says Stephen Bullock, sustainable development manager at Anglo Platinum. ”It’s difficult to justify the informal settlements around our operations.”
To tackle the issue, the municipality, Impala Platinum, Xstrata and Anglo Platinum are implementing the Integrated Human Settlement Project in the region.
Bullock says 3 200 low-income houses will be developed by the municipality, while the mines will develop 1 800 units.
Local economic development is another key to reducing poverty.
Anglo Platinum, with the Rustenburg and Moses Kotane (Madikwe) municipalities, set up a centre through which small suppliers can tender for business with Anglo or the municipalities.
Anglo is not the only mining company contributing to local economic development. Anne Trusler of the Rustenburg Association of Business says Xstrata contributed to both the association and the local branch of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce.
