The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in KwaZulu-Natal has raised concerns after King Misuzulu reportedly said that no further mining activities should be allowed in the province.

According to media reports, the Zulu King said that mining companies have left a trail of destruction and that the government should not issue new mining licenses.

While COSATU agreed with King’s sentiment on environmental degradation and other challenges linked to mining, it emphasised that the sector employs over 10,000 people in the province. The federation said that the province needs the jobs after its economy was battered by Covid-19, July 2021 unrest and repeated waves of destructive floods.

“Any sudden policy shift in this sector may depend on unemployment and poverty in a province already battling the economic effects of Covid-19, July unrest and floods,” the labour federation in the province said.

It added that it remains open to engaging with the King to understand his alternative plans should mining be completely scrapped in the province.

KwaZulu-Natal is home to several mines, including the Okhukho mine near Ulundi, the Hlobane mine near Vryheid, the Shanduka mine in Newcastle, and various coal operations in Dundee and Dannhauser. In the southern parts of the province, several companies mine coal, while Richards Bay Minerals extracts titanium near Richards Bay.