Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility
West Wits is committed to creating a positive social impact in the communities where we operate. Our approach combines meaningful community engagement, responsible procurement, and ongoing collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure long-term, shared benefits.
Local Economic Development
Through our Local Economic Development (LED) Programme, we work in partnership with the City of Johannesburg to host community ward forums. These forums provide a structured space for dialogue, ensuring residents are actively engaged and directly benefit from opportunities created by our projects.
A key focus is local procurement. West Wits prioritises suppliers from a growing Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) database, helping to build sustainable local enterprises. Our Social & Labour Plan (SLP) further strengthens this support by addressing community needs in a transparent and structured way.
Addressing Social & Environmental Challenges
The Witwatersrand Basin faces complex challenges, particularly the risks posed by illegal mining. West Wits has intensified its community engagement to provide alternatives through employment opportunities and improved safety conditions. We collaborate closely with:
- Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR)
- The South African Police Service (SAPS)
- The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD)
Together, we are actively combating illegal mining within our Mining Right area. In recognition of these efforts, West Wits received a Certificate of Appreciation from SAPS Florida for “Partnership in Policing”—a testament to the value of collective action in building safer, stronger communities.
Community Engagement
West Wits is committed to transparent and inclusive dialogue with communities surrounding the Wits Basin Project (WBP). We host regular meetings with ward councillors and LED forums across nine wards: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49, 70, and 127. These meetings ensure that:
- Communities are informed about project progress and upcoming mobilisation activities.
- Local residents have clear access to procurement and employment opportunities.
- Experts from Mining Operations, Procurement, Enterprise Development, Human Resources, Environment, and Health & Safety engage directly with the community.
All procurement and job opportunities are openly published on our website’s Procurement and Careers pages, reinforcing our commitment to fairness and transparency.
Social & Labour Plan Commitment
Our current SLP formally includes Wards 44, 49, and 127. However, recognising the importance of broader inclusion, West Wits has committed to submitting a Section 102 application to extend SLP coverage to the six additional wards where we already have strong engagement. This step will align our obligations with the broader community we serve.
West Wits’ ESG Leadership Recognised
Tozama Kulati Siwisa, Executive Director at West Wits MLI and Head of Corporate Affairs, was named the winner of the Rising Star Award at the 2025 Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG) Awards, held during the Africa Down Under Conference in Perth.
These prestigious awards recognise Africa’s ESG leaders — mining professionals who go above and beyond for their communities, companies, and the industry.
Tozama has been at the heart of some of West Wits’ proudest milestones:
- Securing the Mining Right and Water Use Licence for Qala Shallows
- Uniting government, communities and law enforcement to tackle illegal mining in the Witwatersrand Basin
- Turning risk into opportunity and challenge into trust
Tozama leads with empathy, diplomacy, and vision. She is not only shaping West Wits’ future but also inspiring a new generation of women in mining across Africa.