ANN CROTTY: The charter hurts communities too
Even those it’s meant to help come off second best
Bench Marks Foundation executive director John Capel has described the new mining charter as being as lethal as an abandoned, unsafe mine shaft. It’s been dressed up as a masterstroke of empowerment, says Capel, but it’s a weak piece of legislation that provides little benefit for mining-affected communities and will result in more, not less, protest action. It’s a thinly veiled attempt to promote the Guptarisation of the mining industry, he says. It’s not often that Capel finds himself on the same side as the mine bosses. But so grim are the consequences of this appalling piece of legislation that this is where he stands. Bench Marks, which has been working with communities for years, says the charter will aggravate tense relationships between stakeholders.Capel is particularly irritated by the department of mineral resources’ claim that it consulted communities before drawing up the charter. "It boggles the mind that the department believes that speaking to a small number of chief...
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