Parliament - Newly installed Mining Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said his department would continue to try and find a balance between the economic benefits of the industry, and the safety of mineworkers.
The former Free State MEC of agriculture who was parachuted in to the position at the beginning of September in a Cabinet reshuffle, told a parliamentary committee on the department's audit report, that he would continue to move ''with speed'' on the achievements and strategies of his predecessor Ngoako Ramatlhodi.
''We will not change them. We will move forward and achieve them,'' he said.
The newcomer to the key portfolio said he noted that the department was facing challenges at a time of low commodity prices, and a strike.
But, he was pleased that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Chamber of Mines had agreed to resolve the strike in the coal sector, a sector which has seen price drop of 30% in the period under review.
This was after the honeymoon period of high commodity prices from 2005 to 2011/2012.
Earlier the Chamber of Mines said the parties had agreed to a two-year wage agreement.
''I am sure we will be moving forward,'' said Zwane who started out as a teacher at a farm school in the Free State.
He handed the briefing on the department's annual report for 2014/15 to director general Thibedi Ramontja and had to leave shortly afterwards.
Ramatlhodi was moved to Public Service and Administration.