Pretoria – The Department of Mineral Resources is reviewing progress made in the attainment of the objectives set out in the Mining Charter.
“A tripartite team has adopted the template which should enable us to release the results of the review by the end of March 2015,” Mineral Resources Minister Adv. Ngoako Ramatlhodi said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Annual Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, the Minister said the department has set up a special processing team dedicated to process data, which is populating the template.
The Mining Charter is a legal instrument that enables transformation in the mining industry. It is aligned to other legislation that seeks to foster transformation in mining.
Minister Ramatlhodi said as per the objectives of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) of 2002, they will promote equitable access to the nation’s minerals to all the people of South Africa.
They will also substantially and meaningfully expand opportunities for historically disadvantaged persons, including women, to enter the mineral and petroleum resources.
Other objectives are the promotion of economic growth and mineral and petroleum resources development, which will lead to the promotion of employment and advancement of the social and economic welfare for all South Africans.
“These are the principles that continue to guide us to meaningfully transform the industry and indeed the face of the South African economy,” Minister Ramatlhodi said.
Forum to resolve challenges
“Given the centrality of mining to the economy of the country, we are leaving no stone unturned in providing a stable environment for the industry to grow,” Minister Ramatlhodi said.
As such, the Mining, Growth, Development and Employment Task Team (MIGDETT) was set up as a platform for the ministry, industry and labour to engage in ongoing conversations to resolve challenges that arise.
“Amongst others, the forum discusses meaningful economic participation for employees and communities, Human Resource development, Health and safety,” Minister Ramatlhodi said.
He reiterated that South Africa was ready for investments, as in the past 20 years it had built a stable constitutional democracy, underpinned by the rule of law and a justiciable Bill of Rights.
“This is further reinforced by a strong monetary and fiscal regime and an independent Reserve Bank, which have assisted us to navigate rapid and sometimes difficult changes in the global economy,” Minister Ramatlhodi said.
Simplifying licensing
Last year the Departments of Mineral Resources, Environmental Affairs and Water Affairs announced the introduction of an integrated one-stop licencing regime, operational as of 8 December 2014.
“The environmental system, as it is known, is aimed at streamlining licensing processes of various authorities. It represents government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business in South Africa,” Minister Ramatlhodi said.
The Minister of Mineral Resources is responsible for issuing environmental authorisations and waste management licences of mining activities, while the Minister of Environmental Affairs is the appeal authority. – SAnews.gov.za
