The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources has placed the spotlight on a long-running dispute between Sogima Mining, government departments and residents of the Black Mamba settlement near Mooinooi, with members warning that the continued impasse has come at a significant economic and social cost to the community, workers and the local economy.
The first day of the committee's oversight visit included presentations from the North West Department of Human Settlements, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), the Housing Development Agency (HDA), Madibeng Local Municipality and Sogima Mining. The presentations were examined as members of the committee sought answers to why the matter remains unresolved nearly eight years after the suspension of the mine's blasting operations.
The Department of Human Settlements noted that approximately 234 households are situated within a 500-metre safety buffer zone around the mining operation. According to the department, concerns have been raised about the impact of blasting activities, including alleged structural damage to homes, dust pollution, and health and safety risks.
Departmental officials reported that government and its partners have invested approximately R49.2 million in infrastructure and services in the community. They estimated that relocating affected households could cost more than R76 million, excluding land acquisition and bulk infrastructure costs. The department recommended that mining companies should assume responsibility for funding any future relocation programme.
That recommendation was strongly challenged by the committee, which questioned both the figures presented and the practicality of expecting the mining company to bear the full cost of relocating an entire community. Members contended that parts of the expenditure reflected in the report had been funded by entities such as Samancor Mine and Eskom. They asked why government was now proposing that responsibility for further interventions should rest solely with Sogima Mining.
In its presentation, the DMPR maintained that it is tasked with balancing economic development and mining activities with the protection of communities and workers. DMPR officials explained that the withdrawal of blasting permissions followed complaints relating to health and safety concerns. The department has continued to facilitate engagement between the company and affected residents, while encouraging the exploration of alternative blasting methods and mining technologies.
Presenting Sogima’s side of the matter, founder and director Mr Godfrey Mfetoane told members that the company had acquired its mining rights lawfully, had compensated residents for damage linked to blasting incidents and had participated in numerous consultations over the years. Mr Mfetoane argued that, despite these efforts, the company remains unable to fully operate, resulting in lost economic and employment opportunities.
The meeting examined the consequences of the prolonged deadlock between government and Sogima, in particular its impact on jobs and investment. Committee Chairperson Mr Mpho Modise emphasised that the committee’s focus was not merely on the regulatory dispute, but also on the human cost associated with years of inaction in the mining belt.
“The issue is no longer the department and Sogima. The issue is us and Sogima, because all of us here are now representatives of government,” said Mr Modise.
Yoliswa Landu
13 August 2026
Arrange a tour