Question NW1414 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
17 May 2022 - NW1414
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What (a) is the position of his department regarding the recently released 2021 Annual Survey of Mining and Exploration Companies by the Fraser Institute, which, out of 84 jurisdictions that were assessed, ranks the Republic in the bottom 10 (details furnished) and (b) are the details of the plans that his department has put place to (i) counteract the results and (ii) improve the standing of the Republic?
Reply:
a) The department has recently gazetted the Exploration Strategy to address this. There are logistical (rail and freight), regulatory (water and environmental licensing) and security challenges which fall outside the mandate of the DMRE.
b) Key areas have been identified in the Exploration Strategy that government and social partners will address to improve the country’s investment attractiveness in the next five years.