Mining Opponents Harassed, Killed in South Africa, HRW Says

Community activists who oppose mining projects in South Africa are often harassed, threatened and sometimes killed, according to a report by advocacy groups including Human Rights Watch.

While South Africa has one of the world’s biggest mining industries, the activities of companies extracting metals and minerals ranging from platinum to coal have often run afoul of communities because of the impact they have on land use, ranging from traditional burial grounds to grazing, as well as the water and air pollution they cause. The projects often divide communities as they also bring jobs and other opportunities.