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The alternative mining indaba got off to an interesting note, with mining community activists storming the DoubleTree Hotel in Cape Town, bringing the conservative venue to a standstill.
The group that stormed the venue was made up of about 20 activists and event delegates, and was joined by others who were already inside the second floor conference venue.
The “AMI” is an indaba attended mainly by mining community activists and environmentalists.
The event is held at the same time as the Mining Indaba, which is also held in Cape Town but is attended by mostly mine owners and high profile government officials (derogatively referred to as the Looters’ Conference by AMI delegates).
Among the topics that are set to be tackled at the AMI are the human rights violations of platinum mining in the country, how to use United Nations frameworks to hold mines accountable as well as the legal and policy frameworks of countries in the SADC region.
Today marks the second anniversary of the Lily Mine disaster, in which three employees were trapped underground when the Barberton mine collapsed.
The container that they were in is still buried underground, and their bodies still being underground following failed rescue missions.
Last week, a Free State mine owned by South Africa-based Sibanye-Stillwater minerals firm, Beatrix Mine, saw 955 of its miners trapped underground after a power shortage.
By Friday morning, power was restored to the mine and all the trapped miners were brought back safely to the surface.
Opening the event, Fr Bonginkosi Malaza, general secretary of the Council of Swaziland churches, said it was important to unite as mining communities to better evaluate the collective contribution.
The AMI was created in 2010 by faith-based organisations to provide a platform for stakeholders in the mining industry especially communities directly impacted by mining activities.
According to the organisers, this year the event attracted 573 delegates from 43 countries.
