Key Points
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Sibanye Stillwater expands its community projects across South Africa.
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The company focuses on education, healthcare, and agriculture.
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It aims to build self-reliant communities beyond the mining era.
Gold and platinum producer Sibanye Stillwater has stepped up its work to strengthen mining communities across South Africa.
The company’s latest sustainability reports, released on Wednesday, outline dozens of projects in education, health, agriculture, and local infrastructure. These include refurbishing schools and expanding WiFi access to help students and teachers connect better.
Thabisile Phumo, the Executive Vice President for Stakeholder Relations, said the company aims to leave a lasting footprint.
“We’re focused on creating real, long-term benefits for people who live around our mines. Our impact must continue even after mining stops,” she said.
Under South African law, mining companies are expected to invest in the areas where they operate. Sibanye Stillwater currently manages 17 social and labour plans (SLPs) across its gold and platinum operations in Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, and Limpopo.
Education and sustainability at the centre of growth
Phumo said the company wants to help communities rely less on mining and more on sustainable local economies.
“Creating opportunities for growth helps tackle poverty, unemployment, and inequality,” she explained.
Since 2017, Sibanye Stillwater has built or refurbished seven schools and provided WiFi access to 18 others. It also supports maths and science programmes in 17 schools in the Bojanala district.
The digital learning programme allows students to access study materials and interactive lessons, while teachers use smartboards to make classes more engaging.
Despite facing vandalism, maintenance costs, and economic pressures, Phumo said the company will keep supporting its projects and improving accountability.
Healthcare and post-mining development
Beyond education, Sibanye Stillwater continues to strengthen healthcare in its host communities. The company has provided ambulances, emergency vehicles, and medical equipment for healthcare centres in the Bojanala area.
Its post-mining vision focuses on economic empowerment. The company is expanding the Marikana Agri-hub, a 16-hectare project that supports local farming and small-scale agribusiness. The hub is run in partnership with the Mineworkers Development Agency.
Phumo said the company hopes these partnerships will help communities become “trusted partners for continued growth” long after mining ends.
