Tensions halt RBM’s operations

For years, communities surrounding Rio Tinto’s Richards Bay Minerals have been at war with the mining giant.

The residents are up in arms over unemployment environmental issues and labour practices.

But now tensions have reached boiling point.

The company was left with no option but to halt its operations this week and with RBM being KwaZulu-Natal’s biggest taxpayer, the economic consequences may be catastrophic.

Our reporter Nabeelah Shaikh has more.