Submitted by freenet on Mon, 10/11/2008 - 21:59
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By Luyanda Makapela
Beijing - The mining conference currently taking place in China will focus on existing opportunities for Chinese and other foreign companies to partner with South African companies and communities in the mining industry.
"As South Africa celebrates the 10th successive year of diplomatic relations with China, we deemed it necessary to assemble a multi-stakeholder platform, with particular emphasis on shared investment prospects between the two countries," said Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica in Beijing on Monday.
The minister was addressing delegates at the South African Mining Seminar during the 10th China Mining Conference in Beijing on Monday.
"I am confident that a number of excellent interventions between our respective governments will go a long way in addressing the challenge of trade balance skewed in China's favour," she added.
The minister also briefed delegates about the mining policy framework in South Africa.
She said through the prism of the South African Freedom Charter, the Mining Charter was launched, following rigorous consultations with all mining stakeholders.
The Mining Charter sought to redress artificial imbalances created by the apartheid regime in South Africa, consistent with the progressive political landscape changes that started in 1994.
Since the promulgation of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) of 2002, good progress has been made towards attainment of the objectives of the Mining Charter in 2004.
To date, Minister Sonjica said, the custodianship of all prospecting and exploration of rights has been successfully transferred to the state.
The next milestone was the mining rights conversion by 30 April 2009.
The dissemination of the MPRDA has unlocked the mineral development potential of South Africa, she added.
According to the minister, the Department of Minerals and Energy has received an unparallel number of applications for prospecting, exploration and mining from May 2004, peaking above 18 000 resulting in development of new projects.
"This figure represents an unprecedented interest in the history of mining in South Africa. We have since created adequate resources within the department to respond to this challenge," said Minister Sonjica.
Another challenge that faced the mining industry earlier this year was the power shortages, where South Africa experienced unprecedented levels of electricity demand; however initiatives have been put in place handle the problem.
"I concede that this situation impacted negatively on the planned output of the country's mining operations, but I assure you that the permanent solution to this challenge are being sought, in consultation with all stakeholders," she said.
To this extent, a national emergency response plan has been released and implemented, which deals with the mandatory provisions, incentives and the support programmes aimed at increasing energy efficiency.
The plan is an interim measure, which is intended to make provisions for economic growth to continue on the basis of improved efficiencies in energy consumption in the short and medium term while the government increases the country's reserve margin by bringing on stream new capacity in the medium to long term. - BuaNews