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Johannesburg - The Chamber of Mines is encouraged by President Jacob Zuma's pronouncements on government’s commitment to escalate its interventions in the mining sector.
Spokesperson Zingaphi Matanzima said on Tuesday: "The acknowledgement of the global market conditions by the president is an indication that government fully comprehends that South Africa is not immune to the negative sentiments of the markets on its economy."
Zuma on Tuesday undertook to personally lead the framework agreement for a sustainable mining industry.
"Government will play its part in the implementation of the landmark Framework Agreement for a Sustainable Mining Industry, entered into by labour, business and government last year, under the leadership of former deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe.
"The process will now be led by the president," he said, during his State of the Nation address, delivered at pParliament.
Zuma pledged to revitalise key mining towns, many of which had been hotbeds of labour unrest over the past two years.
"The focus is the mining areas of Matlosana, Emalahleni, Sekhukhune, Lephalale, West Rand, and Matjhabeng," said Zuma.
But he warned mining houses that government would monitor their progress on improving living conditions at mines, along the targets set out in the Mining Charter.
"We urge the companies to meet the 2014 deadline for these targets and extend this right to dignity to mineworkers."
Said Matanzima: "We note with much enthusiasm that President Zuma will be leading the process previously led by former deputy president Motlanthe."
She said the chamber would continue its cooperation with both the Mining Consultative Forum and the Presidential Housing Package which sought to look into the living and working conditions of mineworkers.
"There is significant work that needs to be done to improve the lives of workers and people living in mining communities and to address the negative legacies of the migrant labour system.
"There is much needed local government co-operation to realise housing needs in mining and labour sending communities."
She said for the mining sector to play its part, it was critically important that trust based on collaborative partnership for growth and development between business, government and labour was built.
Seifsa welcomes Zuma support for manufacturing
The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of SA (Seifsa) has also welcomed Zuma's prioritisation of the economy.
"The President’s speech was very encouraging," chief executive Kaizer Nyatsumba said in a statement.
"We welcome, in particular, his undertaking to work with the private sector to remove obstacles to investment in the country and to build inclusive growth."
Seifsa also welcomed Zuma's pledge to support local manufacturing and to encourage government departments and state-owned companies to do the same.
Nyatsumba said Seifsa would work with government and other parties to stabilise the growth of the economy.
