The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) requires mining companies to submit a Social and Labour Plan (SLP) when applying for mining rights, and the Local Economic Development (LED) projects of the SLP should be aligned with the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the local municipality.

This means it is imperative for mines to work closely with local authorities when implementing their SLPs, explains Menar Group Social Licensing Manager Xolile Mankayi. He outlines the Social Licensing Unit mandate is to make a meaningful contribution in our mining communities.

Xolile has extensive experience in dealing with the development and implementation of SLPs having previously served as the Assistant Director: Social and Labour Plan for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in Mpumalanga region.

“Since the establishment of Menar’s Social Licensing Unit in 2018, we have sought to strengthen the company’s drive to accelerate skills development, enterprise development, local procurement and employment in the communities where we operate, while ensuring Canyon complies with therequirements of the new Mining Charter,” he explains.

Xolile works closely with Melissa Pillay, who is the Social Labour Plan Manager at Canyon Coal. Melissa joined Canyon in 2012 as an environmentalist. She was later appointed project manager before she took over her new role as SLP manager since February 2019.

Melissa works closely with Xolile to ensure that Canyon not only complies with its SLP obligations but, where possible, exceeds them. “Xolile is very knowledgeable and I have learnt a lot from him in the time we have worked together, which has been key to ensuring our successes to date,” she states.

Melissa highlights that it is always the aim of Canyon to get involved in projects that have a long-term positive impact on host communities.

“Our involvement in the Beestepan Agricultural High School project in 2019 for example, focused on the educational needs of learners that are located near to our mines in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. Learners who witnessed our contribution will hopefully to do the same for others, thereby creating a better, brighter future for South Africa,” she states.

Furthermore, Melissa says that there have been many highlights during her time at Canyon, such as obtaining enviro-legal authorisations for different projects and successfully implementing LED projects.

“My involvement in making a difference in the lives of others is undoubtedly the most rewarding part of my job”.

Family Focused

And while her passion and compassion for those that she works with is a driving force for Melissa, so much so that she describes her role as “more of a calling than a job really”, it is her family that is her anchor.

“I am very thankful for my family, especially my son, and the many opportunities I have been exposed to at Canyon, which have all played a big role in enabling me to find some sort of balance with my work and family commitments,” she remarks.