Middelburg - A mining lekgotla will be held in Mpumalanga on Thursday and Friday to find ways to get mining companies to help develop the communities within which they operate.
Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Premier David Mabuza will lead the lekgotla, which will be held in Middelburg.
"The intention of the lekgotla is to bring together government from all the three spheres and the mining sector to agree on collective action necessary to address community concerns and challenges being faced by the sector... it will deliberate on the contribution of the mining industry to sustainable development, economic growth and job creation," said provincial government spokesman Lebona Mosia on Tuesday.
The theme of the lekgotla is: "Towards mining for sustainable development."
Mosia said the lekgotla would also seek ways of developing better mechanisms to enhance the contribution of the mining industry to sustainable growth and development.
He said four broad key areas of focus will be discussed, namely human capital development, enterprise development, urban renewal and sustainable development - with a focus on the environment.
"Amongst others, the expected outcomes of the lekgotla are as follows: a signed pledge from all partners with clear areas of cooperation, an action plan to deliver identified projects and other related issues [and] institutional mechanisms to facilitate and monitor the implementation of the action plan," said Mosia. - SAnews.gov.za
