Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Deputy Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has assured artisanal and small-scale miners that government will continue to provide support and assistance to facilitate their growth in the mining sector.
Nkabane was delivering a keynote address at the inaugural Artisanal Small-Scale Miners and Emerging Miners Symposium. The event was hosted by Mintek in Randburg, Joburg on Thursday. Mintek is the country’s mineral research and technology organisation.
Globally competitive and transformed sector
“As part of government’s efforts to grow a globally competitive and transformed mining sector, the department…introduced the artisanal and small-scale mining policy in 2002. At the core of this policy is the need for all stakeholders to collaborate and work together.
“The collaboration on training and development of artisanal and small-scale miners for them to mine the marginal deposits. These are considered less valuable by large mining companies.
“In January this year, the department published an invitation for artisanal miners and small-scale miners to apply for the funding. The funding is designated to assist with financial provision for rehabilitation and capital equipment. This was part of DMRE’s efforts aimed at facilitating and opening up funding opportunities for these miners,” she said.
R400m exploration fund
Some 21 companies have been shortlisted to receive funding. Added to that, the department has launched a R400-million exploration fund. This one is to assist in exploration and discoveries and increase junior miners, amongst others.
Nkabane emphasised that it is the duty of the industry and organisations like Mintek and government to ensure that the mining sector is transformed.
“All of us here should ask ourselves what legacy are we going to leave. If we don’t want to be part of transforming the sector, who else is going to do that? Because we are given that responsibility of transforming the sector.
“How are we going to do it? We must support small-scale and artisanal miners. It should not be the responsibility of a single person. It should be our responsibility. Our current development will be spearheaded by [Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises]. This includes the artisanal and small-scale miners,” she said.
- SAnews.gov.za
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