[VIDEO] Anglo American Opens Training Center to Better Environment and Community

By definition, mining companies reap the mineral benefits that the earth has to offer – so it’s always great to see a mining company dedicated to giving some of that good will back. Take Anglo American, for example. The South Africa-based mining company is giving back to the community surrounding its Mogalakwena Mine site, with an environmental training center meant to help the community support itself.

“One of the challenges that we have on Mogalakwena Mine is that a lot of people surrounding the mine live in poverty – because of this poverty, there’s a lot of environmental degradation,” says Frank Pieterse, Team Leader at Mogalakwena Mine, in a video created by the mining company to highlight the endeavor. “We felt that we needed to do something in the communities to ensure that they also help to protect the environment. Hence, we started the Environmental Training Center.”

What started as a biodiversity offset area has, in the past few years, grown into a full facility with training programs for children and adults that teach sustainable farming and how to cultivate fresh produce to eat and sell.

“Frank initiated this training project at Mogalakwena with the sole intent to benefit the community – this is actually a project in the community for the community,” says Hermanus Prinsloo, Senior Environmental Manager at Mogalakwena Mine. “I really think this particular project, the training center project, is a project that starts showing results which is veryimportant.”

Check out the video to learn more about how the training center and how Anglo American is giving back.