QUESTIONS & ANSWERS More stakeholder action needed

Mineral resources minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi gives some insight into how his department is addressing challenges

In the SA mining industry the past year has been characterised by instability on the labour front as well as pressure on commodity prices. How is the department responding to these challenges? I chair the tripartite stakeholder forum, known as Migdett (Mining Industry Growth, Development & Employment Task Team), comprising government, organised labour and organised business. The Migdett stakeholder principals met on December 5 2014 to develop a collaborative strategic response to the challenges facing the industry through three technical committee structures: industry stability; transformation, growth and competitiveness; and sustainable development.

The meeting of principals affirmed a programme of action for the technical committee which includes a review of the mining strategy, a commodity-specific working stream, as well as a focus on such elements as industrial relations, peace and stability, the ex-miners’ fund and other legacy issues such as housing and living conditions and the migrant labour system.

Furthermore, the department serves in the president-led Framework Agreement for Sustainable Mining with key mining stakeholders, including organised labour, organised business and government. The implementation of the framework is advancing along an envisaged trajectory, as agreed by stakeholders. You have apparently ordered an investigation into the divestment or restructuring of some of the major mining groups’ SA interests. Could you please comment? The said investigation is a work in progress that has been prioritised by Migdett stakeholders. Nevertheless, we expect a positive aspect to the disposal of these assets, with assets that have traditionally been owned by some major mining companies being transferred to smaller, leaner and more productive junior to mid-tier companies. Now that the Mineral & Petroleum Resources Development Amendment Bill has been referred back to parliament what will happen to the concessions that have been negotiated by the industry? As I have stated before, the department of mineral resources is ready for any eventuality and I further affirm our readiness to remain engaged