Zwane confident about victory

Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane, pictured, said yesterday he had noted the actions taken by the Chamber of Mines in applying for an urgent interdict against the 2017 Mining Charter. He said he had confidence in the courts to rule in his department’s favour.

This comes after the Chamber of Mines on Monday applied to the high court for an urgent interdict to prevent the implementation of the Reviewed Mining Charter, as published by the department of mineral resources earlier this month.

The chamber said an application to have the updated Mining Charter reviewed in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act would follow in due course.

Reacting to the chamber’s course of action, Zwane said it was virtually impossible to please all parties as with any legislation developed.

Zwane said he respected the chamber’s decision, but did not support it as the Mining Charter sought to achieve redress and transformation.

“It is our view those who support this Mining Charter, support our quest for transformation, and those who are in opposition to the charter are opposing the transformation objectives of government, and we stand ready to defend the interests of South Africans in this regard,” Zwane said.

“It is unfortunate that the Chamber of Mines has chosen to take this route, but their decision is respected, and the democracy we fought for allows all of us to exercise our rights in this manner.” – ANA