Share

Ramaphosa: Mining Charter must reposition industry

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday lamented the recent spike in mine deaths, while praising Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe for driving the public engagement process of the draft Mining Charter since he took over in February.

Addressing the elective congress of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Ramaphosa said government is committed to finalising the charter, which the industry has criticised as unconstitutional.

“We want this charter to be finalised so that we can reposition the industry. I have said that we see the mining sector as a sunrise industry and that there is  space for it to play a key role in the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP),” said Ramaphosa.

Last week, Mantashe unveiled the revised charter following months of public consultations with the industry and communities.

“The Mining Charter will be used to balance policy certainty, deal with the challenges of inequality and also promote transformation,” he said.

The Mineral Council, which represents the mining industry, has raised concerns that the charter will not promote competitiveness, investment, growth and transformation.

The council has described the charter as "unconstitutional and contrary to South African Company Law", saying it does not support a free-carried interest of 5% allocated to each of the labour unions and communities. 

READ: Mining Charter won’t promote investment and growth, says council

However, the council supports the 30% black ownership target on new mining rights.

The public has 30 days to comment on the charter.

Ramaphosa told NUM delegates that mine workers must not just be awarded in wages and bonuses, but they must also enjoy greater participation in the sector.

He applauded Mantashe for championing the charter, which is hailed as one of the key policies aimed at addressing the economic injustices of the past.

“I applaud the way he has gone about his work, he has hit the ground running and took to the job like a duck in water.”

Ramaphosa is the founding general secretary of the union formed in 1982 and Mantashe was appointed to the same position in 1998.

He lamented the recent spate in mine deaths, saying it cannot be that thousands of workers are killed “for an ounce of gold”.

Over 40 mine workers have been killed in underground accidents since the beginning of the year.

The majority of the fatalities occurred at gold mines owned by mining group Sibanye-Stillwater.

* Sign up to Fin24's top news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO FIN24 NEWSLETTER

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
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
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