The mining company PP Gemstone has accused DMRE of bias in resolving the mining rights between them and Patrice Motse Mining Company Assmang. PP Gemstone dragged Asmang to court, accusing the company of allegedly illegally mining a rare mineral called Sugilite. The rare mineral is found exclusively in Kuruman in the Northern Cape province.
PP Gemstome alleges that they are the only company with sole rights to mine the rare mineral in Kuruman. They also went to the Department of Mineral Resources to file a complaint against Motsepe’company Assmang for mining the miral without legal mining permits.
PP Gemtone directors, Pitso Motebisi and Matome Sefalafala are accusing the DMRE of succumbing to political pressure by not resolving the dispute. They are also accusing the DMRE of being afraid of Patrice Motsepe.
“They are all Motsepe’s puppet, Instead of telling Assmang to leave Sugilite business they have not done so.We want SARS to intervene in the matter, but we are not being assisted”Sefalafala said.
Assmang has since denied any wrong involvement, insisting that their company is legitimate. Company spokesperson Betty Makola says the allegations are unfounded.
