Two bills will be mining indaba’s key topics
THE STATUS of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill and the Mining Charter are likely to be among key topics at next week’s Mining Indaba, mining lawyer Warren Beech said this week.
The Indaba, which is a gathering of influential players and decision makers in the mining sector, takes place against the backdrop of apparent tensions between government and the industry over, among others, safety in the mines.
“The most important speech is that of the Minister (of Mineral Resources) Mosebenzi Zwane. That sets the tone for the rest of the Indaba. A lot depends on the message he sends out to the investors.
“Key topics at the Indaba are likely to be the challenges facing the industry. These include the MPRDA Amendment Bill and the status of the Mining Charter. There were concerns about consultation with regard to the MPRDA Bill. On the other hand, the Mining Charter is going to court this year. That is not necessarily a good thing. That is unfortunate,” said Beech.
The Chamber of Mines is opposed to, among others, the industry’s contribution of a proportion of revenues to a Mining Transformation and Development Agency (MTDA).
The chamber was also concerned about establishment of the MTDA, saying the matter had not been discussed “in any degree of detail.”
The department has expressed its concerns about the pace of transformation in the industry, despite the existence of the Mining Charter. In 2015, it commenced with the review of the Charter, a move that would align the Charter with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.
Beech said health and safety was also likely to feature prominently at the Indaba. According to the 2016 mine health and safety statistics, released two weeks ago, the industry recorded 73 fatalities last year compared with 77 in 2015, translating into an improvement of 5 percent percent year-on-year.
“The 2016 statistics suggest that the major gold and platinum mines remain the main contributors to accidents and the subsequent loss of lives. This is regrettable, as we believe that these mines should be at the forefront in terms of the development of appropriate systems and expertise to enhance health and safety,” the department said.
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