By OBAKENG MAJE
8 June 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources said it has directed Alexkor to meet with aggrieved mining contractors to find a solution to the ongoing disputes and report back to the committee. On Sunday, the committee met with the contractors in Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape during its three-day oversight visit to Alexkor.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mikateko Mahlaule said, Gavin Graythorne, who petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly to investigate corruption allegations at Alexkor, was also present in the meeting. Mahlaule said after the meeting, the committee inspected some dilapidated community infrastructure in Alexander Bay and called on Alexkor to speed up the process of handing over the town to the Richtersveld Local Municipality, which must take over service delivery.
He further said on Saturday, the committee met with the Richtersveld Local Municipality in Port Nolloth and community members in Sanddrift village. Mikateko added that, although the municipality told the committee about its good working relationship with Alexkor, the Richtersveld community members had nothing positive to say about the company.
“They complained about Alexkor’s failure to implement most of the directives from the Deeds of Settlement, including the provision of a clinic. Mining operations at Alexkor are handled through a Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (PSJV) between Alexkor and Richtersveld Mining Company (RMC).
“Alexkor owns 51% of the mine, and RMC owns 49%. However, both companies have equal representation on the PSJV Board. RMC is a subsidiary of Richtersveld Investment Holding, which was established by the Richtersveld Community Property Association after successfully claiming the land where the Alexkor mine is located,” he said.
Mikateko said the committee will provide feedback to Didiza on the steps it took to process the petition as it was referred to it.
The Guardian 