FUNDING OF MRC RESOURCES THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN DIRECT AID PROGRAM

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has written to the Australian High Commissioner to South Africa to question the allocation of $15,431.00 from the Australian Direct Aid Program to 'MRC Resources' for the 'upgrade of existing fresh water borehole'. The CER notes that the Direct Aid Program is intended for poverty reduction and sustainable development in local communities, rather than for profit-making Australian companies like Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC), which operates mineral sands projects in South Africa. The letter highlights significant social unrest and violence associated with MRC's projects, specifically mentioning the assassination of anti-mining activist Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe on 22 March 2016 in Xolobeni. The CER seeks confirmation of the recipient's identity, the location and justification for the borehole project, the application process used, and whether the funding was monitored.

• The Centre for Environmental Rights identified a payment of $15,431.00 made to 'MRC Resources' for the 'upgrade of existing fresh water borehole' under the Australian Direct Aid Program between 2003/4 and 2013/14.
• The CER argues that funding a profit-making Australian company contradicts the stated purpose of the Direct Aid Program, which is to support local community efforts toward poverty reduction and sustainable development in developing countries.
• Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC) operates mineral sands projects in South Africa, specifically the 'Tormin mineral sands' and 'Xolobeni mineral sands' projects, which have been linked to social unrest and violence.
• The Xolobeni area has experienced violence and deaths related to proposed mining, including the assassination of anti-mining activist and Amadiba Crisis Committee chairperson Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe on 22 March 2016.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2016). FUNDING OF MRC RESOURCES THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN DIRECT AID PROGRAM. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CER-letter-to-Australian-High-Commissioner-MRC-Resources-4-April-2016.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. FUNDING OF MRC RESOURCES THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN DIRECT AID PROGRAM. 2016. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CER-letter-to-Australian-High-Commissioner-MRC-Resources-4-April-2016.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=FUNDING OF MRC RESOURCES THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN DIRECT AID PROGRAM |date=4 April 2016 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CER-letter-to-Australian-High-Commissioner-MRC-Resources-4-April-2016.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{centreforenvironmentalrights2016funding, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{FUNDING OF MRC RESOURCES THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN DIRECT AID PROGRAM}}, publisher = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2016}, month = apr, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CER-letter-to-Australian-High-Commissioner-MRC-Resources-4-April-2016.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }