Johannesburg - The ANC is set to decide on the role of the
state in the mining industry at its policy conference this week, secretary
general Gwede Mantashe said on Tuesday.
"There should be a decision on the role of the state in
the mining industry. It's a major issue for discussion," he told SABC
radio news.
"Everyone agrees that the mining industry is doing
well, but around every mine you see abject poverty and that must change.
"... If we are not changing that we are going to a find
a situation of communities becoming more and more impatient and therefore we
must address that issue," he said.
The African National Congress policy conference, starting on
Tuesday, is a "preparatory conference" for the ANC's national elective
conference to be held in Mangaung in December.