Turning areas where mining activities were once a source of income into agri-business is the new approach to recreate work.
Exxaro has mapped out post-mining land that it says will be given away to be used for agricultural purposes.
The company’s Mongezi Veti said this “will transcend dependency on mining”
“With access to land and support, farmers have the potential to start viable agri-businesses, creating jobs at scale,” said Veti in a piece he wrote for Business Day.
He said Exxaro had already rehabilitated more than 2 200 hectares of mined land and wanted to dispose of some of it for farming.
Veti said they plan to transfer 90% of their post-mining land to black farmers before 2026.
It is important to us that our projects are also aligned with the UN sustainable development goal to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture, all by 2030,”
Veti said “supporting agriculture is key” to realising the United Nations 2030 goal”.
“And we call on other companies to manage land sustainably, restore degraded areas and improve irrigation and storage technologies,” he said.
He added the results of all of these will be an increase in South Africa’s agricultural production.
“This improves the standard of living in communities that need it most and gives them an opportunity to lead healthier lives”.
(edited by MLM)
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