Mining Industry Pivotal to SA's Economic Growth
Posted on : Thursday , 22nd October 2015
Johannesburg — Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane says the mining industry must work with government to achieve South Africa's economic growth objectives.
"We are aware that alone as government, without working with the stakeholders, we won't be able to do that," Minister Zwane said.
Speaking on Tuesday following a site visit to Harmony Gold Doornkop Mine, he said government wanted to grow South Africa, create jobs and ensure that beneficiation takes place.
"Let's work together. Let's build South Africa, let's move forward. The time of complaining, the time of fighting should come to an end. Let's focus on the work that we have been appointed to do and get it done," he said.
Minister Zwane encouraged leaders in mining to work together to tackle the challenges facing the industry.
"It is in our mutual interest as stakeholders to continuously engage. We won't always agree but we must keep talking so that we can move the sector forward," he said.
The Minister used his visit to also interact with some mine workers. He went underground to see for himself what safety measures had been put in place by the mine to protect the workers' lives.
"We are happy with the measures that have been taken to correct incidents of fatalities. The miners said they were happy that when they raised issues with the bosses, those were dealt with," Minister Zwane said.
He was encouraged that Harmony Gold was complying with Section 54 of the Mines and Safety Act.
The mining company showed the Minister sections which it had shut down because it was concerned about the safety of workers.
At a later stage, Minister Zwane will visit the houses where the miners live.
He said his department will focus on implementing the Mining Charter to achieve transformation in the mining industry.
"We have engaged with our stakeholders to take the Mining Charter forward," Minister Zwane said.
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