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The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Rob Davies, MP, was approached by one of the parties in the dispute concerning the interim iron ore pricing and supply agreement. Minister Davies agreed to facilitate a mediation process and he has appointed a mediator. The mediation process – which aims to facilitate terms and conditions on which SIOC will supply iron ore to AMSA after 31 December 2012 and until the finalisation of the arbitration process regarding the status of the 2001 Sishen Supply Agreement – has commenced. The mediation process is confidential, governed by the mediation and confidentiality agreement signed by all parties involved, and remains on-going.  
 
Minister Davies has made it clear that the main objective of this mediation process is to find an interim agreement which ensures continuation of iron ore supply and steel production in the economy and that any short-term agreement will not be at the expense of long-term arrangements, presently the subject of work by various government departments.