Committee mulls action on Zuma mineral concerns

CAPE TOWN — Parliament’s mineral resources portfolio committee will next month decide on the process to be followed in addressing President Jacob Zuma’s concerns over the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Development Amendment Act.

Yesterday, the committee heard from parliamentary law adviser Desiree Swart, who said the main problem with the bill was that the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) had not conducted a full and proper public consultation when it was first processed by Parliament.

She said the draft law was not referred to the House of Traditional Leaders, which needs to be consulted about the sections that relate to the use of communal property for mineral exploration and mining.

Mr Zuma referred the bill, which will govern the mineral resources sector, back to Parliament last month.

He expressed four concerns about the bill. The first was that the draft law could be unconstitutional as it elevated the codes of good practice, living conditions for the mining industry, and the broadbased black economic empowerment charter for the mining sector to the level of legislation.

The president’s second concern was that the bill’s provisions on beneficiation appeared to be in contravention of the country’s international trade obligations.

His third concern was that the NCOP did not give appropriate time for public consultation.

Mr Zuma said the bill should have been referred to the House of Traditional Leaders.

Committee chairwoman Sahlulele Luzipho said yesterday the committee would be restricted to the recommendations raised by Mr Zuma and would not make further input into the bill. This means it would be the NCOP that would handle most, if not all, of Mr Zuma’s concerns.

Committee would be restricted to recommendations raised by Mr Zuma This means it would be the NCOP that will handle most, if not all, of his concerns