Mining companies can assist emerging farmers by rehabilitating land
Managing land sustainably and restoring degraded areas will help empower communities
As mining activities wind down in many areas across SA it is important not to lose sight of the opportunities rehabilitated mining areas can bring. For future-forward companies this could be a chance to empower communities, leaving behind a positive legacy of alternative sustainable land use. At Exxaro we see this as part of our long-term strategy, as well as something critical to SA’s continued development.
While the viability of rehabilitating mined land for agricultural purposes is still being debated and researched, mining companies must realise the bountiful potential agri-economies could contribute to fostering sustainable employment in areas where the mining industry was once a major employer.
Agriculture has an important role to play in SA’s economy. Not only does the sector employ more than 850,000 South Africans, but it is also critical for our food security. With our country’s fertile land and temperate climate, the industry has the potential to grow and contribute far more than it currently does to GDP and employment.
To this end, companies should do what they can to actively support the country’s land distribution policy. We have embarked on a minerals succession programme that allows us to map out potential land for agri-economies that will transcend dependency on mining. Of course, this will be undertaken in partnership with emerging farmers in host communities to uplift and develop local suppliers.
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