South Africa's mining sector: Procurement mafia and extortion
The biggest mining companies are having major battles with syndicates who incite locals to disrupt operations - an extortion "mafia".
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The biggest mining companies are having major battles with syndicates who incite locals to disrupt operations - an extortion "mafia".
A threatening letter, a derailed train, blocked roads, burnt vehicles, workers locked up. That's what some of the world's biggest mining companies say they're battling in South Africa: Extortion.
Stakeholders say the industry is 'under attack'.
“The procurement mafia mobilizes the community for their own devices," said Paul Dunne, chief executive officer of Northam Platinum Holdings
In anticipation of new legislation that will increase the royalties payable by mining companies to local communities, the OCCRP takes a deep dive into conditions underground