Source: South Africa News Agency
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has emphasised the importance of partnerships between mining companies, labour, as well as communities, in order for mining to be sustainable.
Speaking at the provincial Mining Indaba taking place in Newcastle on Wednesday, Minister Mantashe indicated that the partnerships would ensure that the country realises its objective of a meaningfully transformed, competitive and growing mining sector.
“It’s not competitiveness and growth versus transformation. Both are required in order for the sustainability of the sector,” Minister Mantashe said.
KwaZulu-Natal currently has 23 operational mines, operating mainly in coal, heavy mineral sands, as well as sand and aggregate.
“Mining is one of the key sectors that can assist us to create more black businesspeople, in order for the economy to be more balanced,” he said.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of rehabilitation of mining sites, which have the potential to create jobs, while restoring the land that has been mined. – SAnews.gov.za