SowetanLive reports that AngloGold Ashanti’s (AGA’s) planned closure of mining operations is likely to leave towns neighbouring Klerksdorp, businesses and communities in dire straits.  

Kopanang Mine, which is near Orkney and Klerksdorp, once gave the surrounding areas a boom as most mineworkers bought their goods and services in the towns.  But now that AGA is considering the mine’s closure, the two gold mining towns and their economies are in danger.  Venesse Richards, chief executive of the Wesvaal Chamber of Business, noted that gold mining was declining as more than five mines had closed down within 10 years.  "A lot of our members have been affected by the closure.  We haven't done an impact study, [but] we are busy with it,” she indicated.  Richards added that the business chamber, together with the local municipality, had adopted a model that would ensure that the town focused on agriculture, agro-processing, tourism and manufacturing.

• Read this report by Mpho Sibanyoni in full at SowetanLive

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