Sowing seeds for a greener future
The programme was launched in 2012 at ten primary schools surrounding the mine
RICHARDS Bay Minerals employees and seven youth members from KwaMbonambi and Sokhulu rolled up their sleeves last week to plant 50 trees at nine local schools.
The group of youngsters, named the Tshalanathi team, has been trained by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) and RBM to assist with the company’s EcoSchools programme.
They do weekly visits to schools in RBM’s four host communities to lend a helping hand with various environmental projects such as food gardens.
But in celebration of Arbor Week, the local Samaritans planted trees at Ontingweni Primary and Mhawu Primary in Sokhulu, Nhlabane Primary, Mbonambi Primary and Nhlanzini Primary in KwaMbonambi, and Mpembeni Primary, Mkhobosa Primary, Mandosi Primary and Njabulo Yesizwe Primary in the Zulti South region.
RBM general manager for health, safety, environment and security, Peter Eaglen said, ‘We aspire to have a positive effect on our mined environment by minimising impacts and contributing to the conservation to ensure this region ultimately benefits from our presence.
‘We are involved in a number of initiatives that are aimed at making a difference beyond the borders of our mine, especially in our communities.’
The programme was launched in 2012 at ten primary schools surrounding the mine.
RBM said the young age group was targeted because at mine closure, approximately 20 years from now, those who do not migrate to cities will be the stewards of the land.
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