"Carat, colour and clarity under pressure"

Small diamond diggers contribute much to the economies and employment in the Northern Cape and North West.  But, they say, the new Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act makes life difficult for them.

Many diggers complain that they have to wait for up to 3 years to have permits granted.  Often permits are not granted – and the Dept. of Minerals and Energy provides no reasons for this. There’s doubt whether this will improve under the new act.

The new act provides for either a permit – for pick and shovel diggers on 1,5 hectares and smaller – or a mining right – for diggers on plots bigger than 1,5 hectares.  But many diggers complain that an application for a mining right is too expensive and mining on a 1,5 ha plot is not viable – and that government should provide a niche for them between a permit and a mining right.

Government’s main aim with the MPRDA is greater access to minerals for previously disadvantaged communities.  But these very communities complain that greater access is not possible with them not even having access to banks for loans!

and

Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the IFP, speaks from the heart about the fate of his party and his own future after setbacks in the elections.

page by Steven Lang