By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
North West Premier, Bushy Maape has labelled the forthcoming investment of R9.4 billion by Sedibelo Platinum Mine in its operations at Pilanesberg Platinum Mine near Moruleng as a vote of confidence in the province.
Maape said this investment is a ‘step in the right direction’ in resuscitating the economy. The province has experienced enormous economic shocks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in a decline of 7.6% in the provincial GDP in 2020.
“The unemployment rate stands at 33% in the province. As a government, we need to do everything in our power to take these numbers down. We are engaging different stakeholders and in particular, the private sector to work hand in glove with us to address the challenges of unemployment and poverty confronting our province.
“These engagements are yielding the desired results. The management of the mine indicated that over the next five years, up to three thousand jobs will be created by the development of an underground mine and of a Kell plant at Pilanesberg Platinum Mine,” he said.
Maape further said the province is on the right trajectory towards economic recovery as this will assist them to address treble challenges, which is unemployment, inequality and poverty.
The Sedibelo Platinum Mine CEO, Erich Clarke indicated that, in addition, the investment will create various economic opportunities for local business people. He said their plans also entail various projects such as housing and investing in Social and Labour Plans.
“We will also be investing in a new Kell plant, which uses new technology to extract the metals from the ore without the use of a smelter. This technology will reduce carbon emissions by eighty percent. 65% of our workforce is from this area and we are looking at increasing it while creating opportunities for the youth and entrepreneurs,” said Clarke.
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