Ferrum Iron Ore and municipality signs agreement

LEPHALALE - Ferrum Iron Ore (Pty) (FIO) Limited, which was granted mining rights in Lephalale area in 2012, has signed a memorandum  of agreement with the municipality stating the mining company’s commitment towards local skills development and local SMME development.
According to the agreement, signed at the end of June, FIO will contribute toward skills development, targeting schools that are performing well in mathematics and science. FIO undertook to establish a technical college in partnership with other stakeholders at Ga-Seleka village. The company will also contribute towards the Mayoral bursary scheme, starting with the 2016 matriculants.
The company agreed to give preference to local jobseekers and will appoint local registered SMME companies, using the municipal SMME data base as a guideline. The company is committed towards skills transfer in particular mining related skills. In consultation with LLM, the mine will appoint a community liaison officer. Other projects which the mine will participate in include phase 5 of the Seleka-Witpoort water scheme project as well as the bulk water supply from Lephalale to rural areas.
The mayor of Lephalale, Jack Maeko, said that the agreement showed the mine’s commitment towards empowering local people and previously disadvantaged communities. Maeko encouraged other companies to follow suite and sign agreements with the municipality to ensure good working relations that will benefit local rural communities.