Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday undertook to personally lead the landmark 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 parliament.
Zuma pledged to revitalise key mining towns, many of which had been hotbeds of labour unrest over the past two years. Among the undertakings agreed to, in October 2012, was one to build housing and other services to revitalise mining towns.
"The focus is the mining areas of Matlosana, Emalahleni, Sekhukhune, Lephalale, West Rand, and Matjhabeng."
An inter-ministerial committee - comprising mineral resources, water and sanitation, trade and industry, social development, labour, human settlements, health, economic development and finance - had been established for this purpose.
"To further promote improved living conditions for mine workers, government is monitoring the compliance of mining companies with Mining Charter targets, relating to improving the living conditions of workers."
Mining companies were expected to convert or upgrade hostels into family units, attain an occupancy rate of one person per room, and put in place home ownership options for mine workers.
"We urge the companies to meet the 2014 deadline for these targets and extend this right to dignity to mineworkers," Zuma said.