As part of its approach to sustainable development, Anglo American company Kumba Iron Ore’s Thabazimbi mine handed over a R16-million bioenergy and organic vegetable project to the community of Regorogile, near Thabazimbi in Limpopo.

The project entails growing fresh organic vegetables and supplying these to local and regional retailers, while also exporting some of the produce to overseas markets.

Limpopo Agriculture MEC Joy Matshoge together with mayors of the Waterberg district and the Thabazimbi local municipalities were among the dignitaries in attendance at the handover, which was held earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Kumba’s Thabazimbi mine planted bamboo trees as part of its Social Labour Plan commitments to offset carbon emissions and for sustainable development.

The trees take up to seven years to mature and during the waiting period, 6 ha of land next to the bamboo project was dedicated to growing fresh organic produce.

To date, the farm has created 23 full-time jobs and made a significant social and economic impact on the community, which has been ravaged by poverty and food insecurity.

Kumba, in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) and Farmer Eco-Enterprise Development Africa, invited members of the community who were growing gardens in their backyard or who had some farming experience to participate on a voluntary basis.

They then formed the Bakotudi Primary Agricultural Cooperative to deliver products at the required volume and quality necessary to establish a commercially viable agricultural enterprise.

“Sustainability is part of Kumba’s everyday business. How we take care of the environment is at the core of our values and delivers considerable benefits to the company,” says Thabazimbi mine GM Cornelia Holtzhausen.

She says that Kumba’s partnership with FTFA speaks to its commitment to sustainable and equitable community development within the areas of its operations, adding that the projects will enable community farmers to become commercial farmers.

Kumba is committed to environmental stewardship and minimising the impact of its operations. Proof of this is Kumba’s investment of R253.7-million during 2013 in various projects aimed at leaving a positive legacy, which the company delivered in consultation with the relevant host communities.