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News - Date: 30 June 2006
The Premier of the Limpopo Province, Mr Sello Moloto, says there is no use in investing in the province if the investments do not benefit the local community. He was speaking during the commissioning of the new R240m Primary Crusher (first stage of diamond production) at De Beers Venetia Mine, near Musina, on Wednesday last week.
The establishment of the crusher has created 19 jobs for members of the community. Construction of the crusher commenced in June 2004 and was completed in May 2006.
In addition to the capital-intensive expansion programme, during 2006, approximately R6 million is being spent on corporate social investment initiatives within the communities from which De Beers draws its labour, focusing primarily on education, whilst R11m is being spent on rehabilitation and conservation.
The function was also attended by Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane of the Zion Christian Church.
Moloto said: “We really welcome this development because this mine is uplifting the economy of our province. The approach of the mine of putting more emphasis on community development fits clearly with our mission of community development through business. We are hopeful and believe that the commissioning of the crusher will form part of our economic history because of its significance to our economic development. We are really turning dreams into an enjoyable reality.”
Moloto says there is a need for cooperation between the government and the private sector in the fight against poverty and unemployment. “The fact that the project has provided 19 jobs is good news to every one of us, because our people are still victims of poverty and unemployment. We will continue to work with different stakeholders to make sure that we win this war against unemployment.”
The Managing Director for De Beers Consolidated Mines, Mr David Noko, said the crusher will increase production in the mine, the end result being the benefit of the community. He said the new primary crusher will have the increased capacity to supply the treatment plant with run-off-mine ore at a rate of 1500 tons per hour. “We celebrate this achievement because it resulted from the good cooperation within different stakeholders in the mine. We will never forget the effort of the workers who have been doing much to make sure that we meet our business targets and production. De Beers Consolidated Mines will continue to improve the lives of the communities from which they draw labour because it is one of our priorities to develop our communities.”
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