Mpumalanga – Communities surrounding Patrice Motsepe-owned Nkomati Nickel Mine in Mpumalanga have accused the mining operation of sidelining local residents in employment and procurement opportunities, despite growing unemployment in areas surrounding the mine.
Residents from Badplaas, Tjakastad, Elukwatini, Nhlamatshe, Aramburg and neighbouring communities allege that the mine has been recruiting workers and appointing service providers from outside the province while suitably qualified local people remain unemployed.
According to The Citizen, community forum leader Thabo Nkambule said residents regularly complained about employment opportunities being awarded to outsiders without proper consultation with host communities.
“As a forum, we are constantly confronted by community members who tell us new employees and service providers have already been appointed at the mine.
“When we investigate these complaints, we often find the allegations are true.
Protest
“When we try to engage management, they are reluctant to speak to us,” Nkambule said.
Residents recently staged a protest at the mine and submitted a memorandum to Nkomati, its shareholders and African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), demanding an end to what they described as “the systematic exclusion” of host communities from economic opportunities.
The memorandum calls for 80% of employment opportunities to be reserved for host communities, 70% of services to be procured locally, and all unskilled and semi-skilled positions to be allocated to local residents.
The complaints centre on alleged non-compliance with Social and Labour Plan (SLP) commitments and Mining Charter obligations, which are intended to promote employment, skills development and socioeconomic upliftment in mining communities.
The concerns echo findings highlighted in a May 2025 report by The Citizen, which cited research by Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua). The organisation reported unemployment rates exceeding 65% in communities surrounding some of South Africa’s largest mining operations, raising concerns about whether mining wealth is translating into meaningful economic opportunities for affected residents.
Compliance with regulatory requirements
Meanwhile, African Rainbow Minerals’ 2025 annual results confirm that Nkomati Mine has been under care and maintenance since March 2021, following the suspension of mining operations.
The company also reported acquiring its former joint-venture partner Norilsk Nickel Africa’s 50% interest in the mine in July 2025.
Mine spokesperson Betty Maluka told The Citizen that a core workforce of 48 employees had been retained to maintain the operation safely and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
The latest allegations raise renewed questions about the extent to which mining companies are delivering on their commitments to host communities, particularly in areas where unemployment and economic hardship remain significant challenges.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
