Communities living alongside mines say they are paying the price for South Africa’s mining economy — with rising social problems, environmental damage, and little support from the government. Residents, together with civil society groups, say they’ve repeatedly raised concerns about the impact mining is having on their lives, from poor living conditions to health and safety issues.

Communities living alongside mines say they are paying the price for South Africa’s mining economy — with rising social problems, environmental damage, and little support from the government. Residents, together with civil society groups, say they’ve repeatedly raised concerns about the impact mining is having on their lives, from poor living conditions to health and safety issues. But despite writing to Parliament and calling for intervention, they say they’re being ignored. The group Mining Affected Communities United in Action warns that many communities are hitting a brick wall in their fight to be heard. So tonight we ask: who is really protecting the people living in the shadow of the mines? Guest: Sabelo Mnguni, MACUA National Coordinator