Share

Find balance between economy, worker safety - mining minister

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.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.88
+0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.39
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.33
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders