The picking of sides in the debate on nationalisation is not healthy for the country, given its history, ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa said on Thursday.

"I would welcome views from the mining industry itself that starts expressing views about where the middle ground is in this debate," he said in a speech at the Exxaro resources executive business networking dinner in Johannesburg.

"The ideal deal... would not only ensure that profitable companies such as yours further expand their activities and create jobs, but also address the substantial challenges faced by government to create new jobs and hasten the process towards increased social cohesion and security."

Perceptions around nationalisation needed to be discussed in order to find a common ground, he said.

Phosa understood that mining companies needed certainty and cohesion on economic policy and therefore wanted clarity on the outcomes of nationalisation.

Various leaders in the ANC and the government had made it clear that nationalisation was not government policy, he said.

However, the ANC was doing research in various countries all over the world and would take into consideration global experiences on this issue.

It would release a report on nationalisation next year, said Phosa.

"As the ANC we are open to critical inputs as well as creative thoughts on how to better manage this process and ensure outcomes that will better address our joint challenges."