The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and its key stakeholders (business and labour) met in Pretoria today and again committed themselves to do everything possible to ensure that the industry reaches its full potential.
The meeting was held under the auspices of the Mining Industry Growth, Development and Employment Task Team (MIGDETT). This is a DMR-initiated industry body that brings together stakeholders including labour, business and other representative bodies to collectively develop a strategy for sustainable growth and transformation in the mining industry.
To this end, industry bodies represented by the Chamber of Mines of South Africa and the South African Mining Development Association and labour represented by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) deliberated on progress by the smaller task team in areas including exploration, innovation, infrastructure and human resources development.
The meeting also received a presentation from DMR regarding proposed regulatory reforms which are planned to kick in mid-2011. Central to the reforms is the objective, by the department, of removing the ambiguities in the principal act, the MPRDA as well as refining other aspects including, but not restricted to issues of consultation.
This issue which has been in discussion for some time in the department was given a new impetus following the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court.
“It is critical for us to reform the law accordingly and to take into account the areas of weakness in our regulatory framework. It is important for potential investors to see that there is stability and terms of engagement are very clear,” said the DG of DMR and chair of the Principals meeting of MIGDETT, Advocate Sandile Nogxina.
All the players in these bodies will be consulted on the proposed reforms without taking away the prerogative of government to discharge its mandate and responsibility.
The meeting also recognised the contribution of the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Mines Mzolisi Diliza.
For more information call:
Musa Zondi
Cell: 082 747 6412
Sibongiseni Dlamini
Cell: 082 770 9825
Nonkqubela Mazwai
Tel: 011 243 4900
Samda Zwelitsha Tantsi
Cell: 082 941 421
Ms Zingaphi Jakuja
Tel: 012 444 3279
Fax: 012 341 2252
Cell: 082 766 3940
E-mail: zingaphij@mobileemail.vodafonesa.co.za
