Bringing cleaner streets to Phola

Zibulo coal mine and the local municipality have come together to bring cleaner streets and jobs to the small South African community of Phola.

Situated just outside the town of Ogies in the South African province of Mpumalanga, the growing community of Phola faces a number of serious challenges, including a lack of basic services and aging infrastructure. Until recently, this included a complete absence of rubbish collection and removal services owing to transport constraints within the local authority.

Residents had no option but to discard waste at illegal dumping grounds, posing a significant health risk to residents, including mine employees.

As a major business located close to both Ogies and Phola, Zibulo coal mine set about finding a solution to this problem.

Zibulo is the first mine developed by Anglo Inyosi Coal, a black economic empowerment company set up by Anglo American and Inyosi Consortium in 2007. In the short time it has been in operation, Zibulo has already invested millions of rands into upgrading the area's critically stressed sewerage network and has established a small enterprise development hub to alleviate poverty and boost employment creation in the area.

Following discussions with the local municipality and other stakeholders, the mine cleared more than 20 informal dumpsites, before purchasing 21 skips that have been placed at various sites across the township.

The next step was to provide a sustainable solution to the municipality's transport constraints, and involved the purchasing of two waste collection trucks at a cost of $375,000 (R3 million). In addition, 12 people from the community have been employed to collect and clear refuse, as well as carry out street sweeping and grass cutting activities.

Only one truck operated in the area, and this was out of service for long periods owing to frequent breakdowns. You have made our work much easier

Meleli Shongwe Municipal manager's office

"This represents a triumph of the private and public sectors coming together for the greater good," said executive mayor Salome Sithole, adding that the eMalahleni local municipality is proud to be associated with Anglo American. "This is a donation towards a better, cleaner environment and a healthier community."

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