Through participating in community health and development initiatives in Siyathemba, Vanwyksvlei and surrounding areas, our Prieska Copper-Zinc Mine (PCZM) works to contribute to thriving host communities in our mining community. Here are some examples from between 2024 and 2025:
Community health
New indoor seating at the mother and child ward of the Ethembeni Primary Health Clinic in Prieska now offers patients a safer, more comfortable place to wait. Mothers and children who previously had to queue outside in rain, cold and extreme heat can spend that time under shelter instead. This forms part of our community health initiatives and Prieska mine community health projects.
Stakeholder engagement sessions
Regular stakeholder engagement helps ensure that communities are informed and heard as the project progresses. Recent engagements shared updates on the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), what it could mean for Siyathemba community development and Vanwyksvlei community projects, and developments in human resources and procurement.
A site visit by the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Economic Development, together with meetings involving the Orion Siyathemba Stakeholder Engagement Forum (OSSEF) and the Siyathemba Local Municipality, was followed by OSSEF-led public feedback sessions in Siyathemba and Vanwyksvlei. These community stakeholder meetings in Prieska gave community members a direct platform to engage with our representatives and raise questions with senior management.
Vanwyksvlei storm relief
When a severe storm in late December 2024 damaged homes in Vanwyksvlei, a disaster relief package helped the most vulnerable households begin restoring their properties. With support focused on roof repairs, affected community members could improve the safety and security of their homes.
Social and Labour Plan (SLP) progress
Local voices have also shaped the mine’s longer-term commitments. Following extensive consultations, the new ‘Cycle 2’ SLP was submitted to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) for approval. The SLP sets out the next phase of commitments to employees and nearby communities, including skills development and local economic development (LED).
The proposed LED projects have been endorsed by the Siyathemba Local Municipality and the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Education. They will be made publicly available once the SLP is approved. These projects form a key part of our Prieska mine community development and LED commitments.
Learn more about Orion Minerals Prieska and Prieska mine community development in our 2025 Annual Report.