Investors of MRC: Stop forced mining on South Africa’s Wild Coast

Why this is important
An Australian mining company wants to mine 22 km of a South African Wild Coast community’s sacred beachfront land without their consent, to exploit what they claim is the world’s tenth-largest titanium deposit.

The majority of residents of the affected community (Section 24 Umgungundlovu of the Amadiba Traditional Authority) have repeatedly rejected the Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project, an open-cast mine which will destroy one of the most beautiful sites in South Africa. They also reject a controversial proposed toll road designed mainly to move the titanium to ports, for which the SA National Roads Agency Ltd has been caught forging affidavits.

The Perth-based mining company MRC (Mineral Commodities LTD) and their South African subsidiary TEM (Transworld Energy & Mineral Resources) are using desperate measures and their local allies have recently resorted to violence. The company’s shares have languished because this, their major project, cannot get off the ground.

The majority of residents do not want their homes, ancestral graves, water supply, fishing stock or traditional way of life threatened. Although many need employment, better facilities and state services, they do not want to compromise their land for a mine that would hire only a few unskilled workers and have a lifespan of only 22 years. Instead they want sustainable development projects, ranging from small-scale agriculture to eco-tourism. But the mining threat would foreclose alternative development strategies.

MRC have partnered with a few individuals in the community. They are known as “the crooks of the village” and stand to benefit financially. They pretend to represent their community’s wishes and on May 3, assaulted community members with guns and machetes, leaving three injured.

The crisis has reached a tipping-point.
Let’s get their investors’ attention and let them know what is really happening with the Xolobeni Mineral Sands Project. MRC is having serious problems with its other South African investment, Tormin, due to its heavy mineral concentrate buyers’ quality claims. It has made mistakes in South Africa that warrant its retreat.

Sign to demand that MRC ends forced mining in a community whose majority have repeatedly rejected it. Stop MRC from hiring people who violently assault community members. Let MRC’s investors know it’s time to take their funds elsewhere.

Let’s ensure that human rights and environmental integrity defeat greed for ill-gotten gains.

#Xolobeni
#ASX
#ausbiz
#InvestResponsibly

UPDATE:
Good news is that the affected community succeeded in getting a court interdict signed off to prevent MRC’s local allies from intimidation and carrying firearms to community meetings.

MRC did not even give their shareholders a chance to ask tough questions at their Annual General Meeting. But word is getting out! MRC kingpin Mark Caruso will be visiting South Africa soon to appear in court where he is being sued by his former partner – let’s continue signing and sharing to give him a welcoming present.
secure.avaaz.org

More on the CCS Website

Anti-mining lobby seeks legal protection

UF CONDEMNS POLICE ARRESTS OF ANTI-MINING PROTESTERS IN XOLOBENI

Wild Coast mining bid violence

Seminar: Xolobeni mining update with Nonhle Mbuthuma, 14 May