Mineral Resources Budgetary Review Recommendation Report 2010

Meeting report

Budgetary Review Recommendation Report
The Chairperson tabled the Report for consideration.

Mr N Mathibela (ANC) suggested that the Committee should only deal with observations and the recommendations.

The Chairperson obliged and went through the observations and the recommendations.

Mr E Lucas (IFP) commended the spirit and content of the Report; he then suggested the inclusion of a finance vehicle for small scale miners especially in exploration.

The Committee agreed to include that in the recommendations.

Ms Mathibela concurred with Mr Lucas and said that the Report was a thorough reflection of all the issues and it was constructive.

The Chairperson asked the Committee Secretary what the next step would be when the Committee approved the Report.

Ms Noluthando Skaka, Committee Secretary, explained that the Report would be put in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee (ATC) Report and forwarded to the Finance Committee, after it had been adopted by the Committee.

Ms J Manganye (ANC) mentioned that mine inspectors were not enough especially in mines that were exploiting wetlands. As a result, she suggested that the mine inspectors and those of the Department of Environmental Affairs should work together in such cases.

The Chairperson explained that the law stipulated that exploration of minerals could only be done after an Environmental Impact Assessment had been completed, and consultation with the surrounding communities had been done. Prospecting explorers usually coerced traditional leaders and councils to sign approval for mining rights. The new laws were so strict to the extent that they wanted proof of consultation.

The Committee approved the Report with a few amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.