Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Dr Penuell Maduna and the Deputy Minister, Ms Susan Shabangu, will introduce the National Small-scale Mining Development Framework on Tuesday, 13 April 1999. You are hereby cordially invited to attend the media conference at the Mineralia Centre (cnr Andries and Visagie Streets, Pretoria) on the 8th floor at 10:00. (Please note that the entrance to the building has change to Andries Street).
This framework makes provision for:
i) Regional Regulatory Committees to identify regulatory requirements applicable to, and constraints facing, prospective small-scale mining operators, and
ii) where necessary, the provisions of co-ordinated Institutional support by the National Steering Committee of Service Providers to the Small-scale Mining Sector (NSC), to ensure sustainable development. The NSC comprises various associated institutions.
By assisting in elevating small-scale mining operations from a subsistence level to sustainable businesses, the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) is combating unemployment in the process of promoting sustainable growth in this sector. In addition, the environment and worker safety is being protected.
Government's policy regarding small-scale mining is spelled out clearly in the White Paper on Mining and Minerals for South Africa. It has to facilitate the development of small-scale mining into a profitable, healthy, safe and environmentally friendly enterprise. For this purpose, the DME has formulated the above-mentioned National Small-Scale Mining Development Framework.
On 13 March 1999, the Director-General of Minerals and Energy, Adv. Sandile Nogxina, approved the Constitution for the National steering Committee of Service Providers to the Small-scale Mining Sector (NSC). The DME is currently circulating this Constitution to other partners of the NSC for signature. Funds allocated for the development of the small-scale mining industry have been transferred to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in order to facilitate administration for NSC purposes.
ENQUIRIES:
Ms Prudence Gololo
Deputy Director: Communication
Tel: (012) 3179266 or 082 459 6861
Fax: (012) 3224954