MBOMBELAđź“»-* Barberton Mines gathered with media houses on Thursday March 26 for a meeting to review the role of mines under Pan African Resources, where they highlighted what has been done in the past five years. And also projects that are currently underway.
The mines highlighted the construction of schools, halls, clinics, road development, empowering young entrepreneurs, job skills, student training and more. Dr Fortunate Ngomane of Barberton Mines also emphasized that these project were as a results of extensive consultations with the affected communities, City of Mbombela Municipality and the Traditional Leadership in the region.
The biggest problem facing the mines is illegal mining, as more than R700 million has been spent since 2018 to combat illegal mining. they also expressed their frustration and disappointment in the criminal justice system in Barberton in particular, claiming that majority of illegal miners are undocumented foreigners who are also repeat offenders. which begs the question, how do they get bail without official residence and proper documentation ?