Mining is not a 'sunset industry' and deserves support from
government, but should accept that it is one of four pillars in government's new Growth Path.
The new national strategy announced at a government reshuffle in October, has mining among the top four priorities, said Acting Chief Inspector of Mines, David Msiza, on behalf of Mineral Resources minister Susan Shabangu, at the Chamber of Mines AGM on 2 November.
The mining industry is required to focus on;
" increasing productivity of assets
" invest in new mines
" initiate and support mineral beneficiation
" rehabilitate closed mines
" manage environmental impacts
" adopt 'green' mining technologies.
Meanwhile the Department of Minerals Resources is examining "administrative processes to improve South Africa's competitive edge". DMR would halve the time for processing prospecting rights, from six to three months, and mining rights from twelve to six months.
The DMR director general had done an audit of processing, reviewed regional office structures and systems, and reviewed capabilities and limitations of a National Mining Promotion System (NMPS) for processing applications.
Government says it is "assisting mining to grow in a sustainable manner".
Tripartite task teams
Government, business and labour accepted joint socio economic challenges at a summit in the Drakensberg in March, announcing in July the Mining Industry Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Meaningful Transformation.
The parties are now "elaborating on various commitments outlined in the declaration, via task teams on research, development, infrastructure, exploration and regulation are seeking solutions.
COM to change more
Minister Shabangu complimented specific efforts made by the Chamber of Mines in addressing her concerns raised last year, with room for further improvement.
At the 2009 AGM, the DMR Minister raised issues of "relevance, currency, structure and content of the Chamber of Mines".
Shabangu discounts reports of a bad relationship between government and the Chamber of Mines, or the Chamber being a discredited organisation. "Nothing can be further from the truth", she said.
Chamber of Mines officials at the AGM included president Sipho Nkosi, outgoing CEO, Mzolisi Diliza, and incoming CEO, Bheki Sibiya.
South Africa's remaining unmined mineral wealth is worth some $2.5-trillion, or R18-trillion, according to an American Citibank estimate.
DMR scrambles to regulate New Order mining rush
Mining is not a 'sunset industry' and deserves support from
government, but should accept that it is one of four pillars in government's new Growth Path.
The new national strategy announced at a government reshuffle in October, has mining among the top four priorities,
said Acting Chief Inspector of Mines, David Msiza, on behalf of Mineral Resources minister Susan Shabangu, at the Chamber of Mines AGM on 2 November.
The mining industry is required to focus on;
" increasing productivity of assets
" invest in new mines
" initiate and support mineral beneficiation
" rehabilitate closed mines
" manage environmental impacts
" adopt 'green' mining technologies.
Meanwhile the Department of Minerals Resources is examining "administrative processes to improve South Africa's competitive edge". DMR would halve the time for processing prospecting rights, from six to three months, and mining rights from twelve to six months.
The DMR director general had done an audit of processing, reviewed regional office structures and systems, and reviewed capabilities and limitations of a National Mining Promotion System (NMPS) for processing applications.
Government says it is "assisting mining to grow in a sustainable manner".
Tripartite task teams
Government, business and labour accepted joint socio economic challenges at a summit in the Drakensberg in March, announcing in July the Mining Industry Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Meaningful Transformation.
The parties are now "elaborating on various commitments outlined in the declaration, via task teams on research, development, infrastructure, exploration and regulation are seeking solutions.
COM to change more
Minister Shabangu complimented specific efforts made by the Chamber of Mines in addressing her concerns raised last year, with room for further improvement.
At the 2009 AGM, the DMR Minister raised issues of "relevance, currency, structure and content of the Chamber of Mines".
Shabangu discounts reports of a bad relationship between government and the Chamber of Mines, or the Chamber being a discredited organisation. "Nothing can be further from the truth", she said.
Chamber of Mines officials at the AGM included president Sipho Nkosi, outgoing CEO, Mzolisi Diliza, and incoming CEO, Bheki Sibiya.
South Africa's remaining unmined mineral wealth is worth some $2.5-trillion, or R18-trillion, according to an American Citibank estimate.
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