KZN Premier says small scale mining sector has major role to play in South Africa’s economy
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr Senzo Mchunu today said there needs to be a way of bridging the economic divide that exists amongst the people of this province, and of building the small-scale mining as a viable industry.
He was addressing delegates attending the Small-Scale Mining Imbizo held at the Esikhaleni Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College over two days, where delegates discussed means of improving the small scale mining sector.
“Armed with freedom and democracy which we inherited from the forefathers of this nation, we want to make a firm and bold statement that united in action we shall achieve economic emancipation,” said Mchunu adding that our freedom and democracy should not co-exist with the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
The Imbizo was attended by miners from Daunhausser, Blaauwbosch, Newcastle, Indwedwe, Richards Bay and in some other parts of the province where small-scale mining is taking place as well as entrepreneurs from other sectors of the economy.
“Let me be clear, we do not want to create an impression that as we continue our journey to a better life for all, we hold monopoly over solutions to solve current and future challenges. As the leadership, we want to be constantly guided by what you as industry are suggesting to us,” said Mchunu, adding that the forefathers of our democracy believed that the people of this country, across all racial lines, had the right to access the country’s mineral resources.
Mchunu said of greater importance, is to empower communities with relevant skills so that they too can actively participate and not be spectators while others benefit from the resources that come from their own land.
“We have established the Human Resource Development Council chaired by myself as the Premier with the sole intention of embarking on a skills development revolution. Dictates of modern economy forces us to embark on knowledge enhancement that is adept to developments in science and technology; and an economy that leaves no one behind,” said Mchunu.
He said government wants the young and old - rich and poor - educated and uneducated - employed and unemployed - rural and urban - to participate on equal footing in the reconstruction and redevelopment of this province.
He also said in its next meeting in September, the Council will receive a proposal that it develops a comprehensive skills development plan for the small-scale-miners in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
This Council should pay a strong focus on scarce skills such as engineering, science and technology, accounting, information technology, environmental management and occupational health and safety – all that are critical elements of mining revolution, according to Mchunu.
The council will work with the Department of Mineral Resources, tertiary institutions, Skills Education Training Authorities (SETAS), and various entities such as Council for Geosciences, MINTEK and the private sector.
He said literature available shows that globally, small-scale mining provide jobs for 20-30 million people, often from the poorest and most marginalised communities. This is calculated to be 10 times more people worldwide than large-scale mining does.
“Admittedly, in this province we have not reached a level wherein small-scale mining is viewed as a catalyst for rural and local economic development, obviously within the prescript of prevailing regulations as articulated in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), No. 28 of 2002,” he said.
He also said municipalities such as Zululand, UThungulu, UMzinyathi, Amajuba, Sisonke, ILembe and eThekwini where small-scale mining takes place, have a responsibility of ensuring that plans for the support of small scale mining are articulated in the Integrated Development Plans.
Mchunu also thanked Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu for providing bold leadership on matters around mining.
“As the provincial government we acknowledge the role of His Majesty both as champion for rural and overall socio-economic development and as head of Ingonyama Trust Board should be acknowledged at all times.
“Few years ago the Ingonyama Rural Development Forum was formed by Isilo as a platform for public discourse and has opened up space for many stakeholders to share their views. It is important that there is alignment on the activities of the provincial government in relation to mining and the work undertaken by Ingonyama Rural Development Forum,” said Mchunu adding that amakhosi as leaders of communities should be allowed to act as champions of rural development in their communities.
Mchunu also said the Provincial Planning Commission HRD Council, academics and researchers, organised labour and civil society, as well as the private sector all have a role to play in improving this sector.
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