The mining sector faces an array of challenges that led to the decline in the economic contribution growth and the employment rate within the sector.
The impact of these challenges and the decline in mining activities require support from various stakeholders. According to the recommendations, Free State Growth and Development Strategy (FSGDS), the province should attempt to prolong the life of existing mines by providing adequate support as well as identifying and marketing new mining opportunities.
The Department of Economic, Small business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs will be launching a Provincial Mining Working Group (PMWG) that will strive to address or mitigate the impact of some of the challenges faced by the mining sector.
The PMWG will create a platform for stakeholders to meet on quarterly bases to discuss, amongst others, the following:
- Support existing and new mining opportunities
- Implementing post mining economy programmes in mining towns
- Skills development and re-skilling within the Free State mining sector
- Rehabilitation of mine areas
- Addressing labour relations matters within the sector.
The PMWG will comprise of various stakeholders including mines, institutes of higher learning, government departments, municipalities and FDIs.
The details of the launch are as follows:
Date: 25 June 2015
Venue: Ilanga Estate
Time: 9h00 -15h00
Enquiries:
Tel: 051 400 9631 / 9548
Cell: 0833408502
E-mail: nyamatef@detea.fs.gov.za
