Three mining companies in South Africa have come to an agreement to protect the land surrounding their Rustenburg operations from contamination.

South Africa's North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) and the Heritage Board have launched the scheme in conjunction with Barricks, Boynton and Itireleng Bakgatla Mineral Resources.

It is hoped that the move will ensure the future conservation of the region as the mining companies work to develop the land for conservation and potentially tourism.

"In the past mining and conservation were operating separately, the focus has always been on mining," said Chairperson of the Conversation Sub- Committee of the NWPTB, Gabriel Makgoko.

According to BuaNews, he added: "We are very much glad that in the history of South African mining, we are the first province to actually bring mining companies together, to consider the importance of mining and conservation."

Mr Makgoko insisted that the move was backed by all the companies with prospecting rights in the Rustenburg region, including Anglo Platinum, Nkwe Platinum and Anooraq.

Source:

Mining companies agree to protect land, 13/12/07
http://www.buanews.gov.za/view.php?ID=07121309451003&coll=buanew07

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