"Committee Steps in as Sugilite Mining Row Heats Up", 9 October 2025

The mining of sugilite in the Northern Cape’s John Taolo Gaetsewe District has sparked a significant dispute between two manganese mining companies, local communities and the small-scale mining company, PP Gemstone Mining and Exporting (Pty) Ltd...

The manganese companies involved are Assmang Manganese (Black Rock Operation) and South32...

Local communities in John Taolo Gaetsewe District were represented by the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), which argued that the sugilite extracted by Assmang and South32 should benefit the local communities. SANCO also raised concerns over the lack of consultation and transparency regarding social labour plans.

In response, SANCO and PP Gemstone submitted a joint appeal to the committee, requesting high-level intervention to resolve the dispute over who should benefit from the sugilite mined as part of manganese operations by Assmang and South32.

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Assmang's executives agreed to consult with the company’s board to seek guidance on how they could cooperate with PP Gemstone to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

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