The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe is calling on mining companies to implement Social Labour Plans (SLP), in the areas in which they do business.
Most of the areas in the North West Province including in Marikana where many of the mining workforce stays, lack basic infrastructure such as running water and proper housing resulting in a series of protests by the disgruntled residents.
Mantashe was speaking at the North West Mining and Energy Investment Conference on Thursday, in Sun City, outside Rustenburg.
He said mining houses must comply and they have to pull their resources together and to contribute to impactful community projects.
“Bear in mind that mining houses are not obligated to build schools, that’s why they must develop SLPs and say our capacity is to be able to do this SLP, and when there’s a bigger capacity, they should do what they can afford.
“We cannot hold them accountable for something they’re not obligated to do,” said Mantashe.
The Minister has also highlighted that they’re exploring new measures to attract sustainable investment in the sector.
“Our task as delegates to this conference is to explore ways in which we can attract sustainable investments in South Africa’s mining and energy sectors. During these two days, we expect constructive deliberations from all delegates which must help us and encourage us to build a sunrise industry.
“Key to this negative contribution is a decrease in economic activities for the diamond, iron ore and platinum group metals (PGMs) that this province, the North West, is endowed with,” Mantashe said.
Statistics South Africa recently released reports for the fourth quarter of 2022, which showed that the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased by 1.3%. According to the report, the mining and quarrying industry shrunked by 3.2% and thus contributed – 0.1% to the GDP growth.
According to Mantashe in January 2023, mining production experienced its twelfth consecutive month-to-month decline, recording a decrease of 1.9%. This is in part due to the domestic challenges, he noted.
“At this stage, like never before, our industry needs to advance a commitment to working together as stakeholders on the reconstruction and recovery of the mining industry. The industry must be seen within the context of the changes facing all South Africans during these challenging times,” he said.
Mantashe also called for constructive deliberations from all stakeholders, to encourage growth and sustainability in the sector.
The Minister has highlighted that the conference took place at a time when South Africa is facing difficulties, due to the uncertainty in the domestic and global markets.
