Resource Politics

Gauteng High Court Approves Settlement Agreement in Silicosis Class Action

The South Gauteng High Court has approved the historic ZAR5 billion silicosis class action settlement for thousands of former mineworkers who contracted pulmonary tuberculosis or silicosis on South Africa’s gold mines.

What we do

Southern Africa has a rich diversity of natural resources and yet most of the region's countries are characterised by high levels of poverty and inequality. Together with our partners in South Africa and Zimbabwe we seek to engage all relevant stakeholders, from local communities to national decision makers, in order to help realise the sustainable, fair and transparent management of natural resources in the region.

Partners

Extractive Industries

Penhalonga and Tsvingwe Community Opposition to Destructive Mining Impacts

Community Protocol

With the assistance of our project partner, the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, communities affected by gold mining in eastern Zimbabwe came together to formulate a Community Protocol taking a stand against destructive mining impacts.

pdf

Biocultural Protocol of the Kukula Traditional Health Practitioners Association

Community Protocol

Community Protocols are living documents and the revised version incorporates references to legislation that substantiates the Kukula’s position, their evolving priorities and a renewed call for dialogue.

pdf

Historic Silicosis/ Tuberculosis Class Action Settlement

Partner News

Yesterday, May 3rd 2018, a historic settlement was reached between South African mineworkers who contracted silicosis or tuberculosis while working underground and seven gold mining companies, the first class action settlement of its kind in the country.

Victory for Campaign Against Uranium Mining Project in South Africa's Karoo Region

An Australian firm which planned to mine in the iconic Karoo region of South Africa has been forced to leave after costly delays in the licensing process. Dr Stefan Cramer hopes its exit - combined with the environmental efforts of the new South African government - may enable the Karoo to finally realise its full potential in sustainable agriculture and renewable energies

By Dr Stefan Cramer

Watch: Rooibos Restitution

After a long struggle to protect the rights of indigenous communities, a landmark decision has been taken by the Rooibos Industry to enter into negotiations with the Khoi and San as the associated traditional knowledge rights holders to the uses of Rooibos. An Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement is currently being concluded between the two parties based on mutually agreed terms, and in compliance with Nagoya Protocol.

Traditional health practitioners at the SANParks Pepperbark training workshop, Thulamahashe village, Bushbuckridge, South Africa.

Kukula Traditional Healers Reaping Rewards of an Inclusive Community Protocols Process

Blog

Community protocols are not just documents, they’re a process and innovative processes can create new opportunities.

By Cath Traynor

Not all members of the Bafokeng community benefit from mining. Resident at Thekwana village near Rustenburg, South Africa.

From Undemocratic Laws to Violence: How South Africa’s Mine-Hosting Communities Are Silenced

The rural Amadiba community of Xolobeni on South Africa’s picturesque Wild Coast won a rare victory in July when an Australian company gave up its 13-year battle to mine titanium from the dunes that have sustained them for generations.

By Brendan Boyle

Supporting civil society under pressure – lessons from natural resource exploitation

Civil society is under pressure worldwide. This e-paper focuses on dynamics and patterns of shrinking spaces and repressions on civil society with regard to natural resource struggles and takes a closer look into consultation processes and the role of the economy.

Download

Balancing the Scales - Community Protocols and Extractive Industries

This paper discusses the ways in which community protocols can be an effective tool for communities to respond to extractive industry projects in their area. It provides an overview of what has taken place over the last three years in four pilot community protocol processes and captures lessons that can be applied to future processes.

pdf