Mining in Xolobeni to go ahead

A Sunday Times report notes that, in a surprise turnaround. Transworld Energy and Minerals will be granted a licence to mine there 'within days'. The report says Susan Shabangu, former Minerals Minister and now the Minister of Women in the Presidency, broke the news last week to a community that had opposed the project. She said a new licence 'would be issued within days' and that the people who had previously opposed the planned mine now supported it, according to the report. It states that Ntlahla Hlebo, an ANC ward councillor from the Alfred Nzo region, said news of the licence was 'a shock', especially since large parts of the community strongly opposed the plan. A spokesperson for the Mineral Resources Department said he 'could not comment' on the statements made at the meeting or provide clarity about when a mining licence would be issued. Shabangu's spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment, the report states. Full Sunday Times report (subscription needed)