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Afrimat’s Demaneng Mine committed funds towards to the construction of a bulk link-line from three boreholes to a 7ML reservoir, to assist with alleviating the prevailing water issues in Olifantshoek.

This project forms part of Afrimat Demaneng’s local economic development initiatives.

Olifantshoek, situated in the dry Gamagara Local Municipality in the Northern Cape, has limited water resources, with the community being greatly dependent on ground water. The exponential growth in and around Kathu, has further exacerbated the water crisis in the area, with taps running dry for weeks on end.

Employees of Afrimat’s Demaneng Mine, who reside in Olifantshoek, brought this matter to the attention of management. Demaneng Mine’s management team opted to engage with the local municipality and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to find sustainable solutions to this issue, in an effort to not only assist the mine’s employees, but the community as a whole.

In an effort to raise more funds, Demaneng Mine, with the assistance of the DMRE, approached neighbouring businesses to collaborate on the project where Afrimat acted as the Project Coordinator.

The scope of work consisted of Phase 1 and Phase 2A:

Phase 1 was funded by the Gamagara Local Municipality and entailed the drilling and equipping of six boreholes and construction of pump houses.

Phase 2A necessitated the construction of the bulk link line from three boreholes to the 7ML Reservoir.

Selenane (Pty)Ltd and Metsweding Consulting Engineers were respectively appointed as Contractor and Consulting Engineers for Phase 1.

They also continued with Phase 2 A, with the assistance of Wholetrade Projects (Pty)Ltd as a local Sub-Contractor from Olifantshoek and BVI Consulting Engineers, as an Afrimat appointed Project Engineer.

B-Safe Africa SHEQ Projects were appointed as Safety Consultants for both phases.

To ensure local labour and SMMEs got the opportunity to work on the project, seventeen (17) local people and five (5) local SMMEs, including the subcontractor, where hired for the project.

Project timeline

Phase 1 commenced on the 1st of February 2021 and was completed by the 2nd of September 2021; and

Phase 2A commenced on the 8th of July, to be handed over to the Gamagara local municipality on the 19th of October 2021.

Genuinely passionate about South Africa, Afrimat believes in creating value not only for its employees and shareholders but also for people in the communities where it operates.

It has been a privilege to partner with key-stakeholders in an effort to positively contribute towards and enhance the lives of the Olifantshoek community.

Issued by for Afrimat Limited by Esther Teffo: Group Social and Labour Plan Manager