Question NW2724 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
21 September 2023 - NW2724
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) With regard to Section 26(3) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, which states that any person who intends to beneficiate any mineral mined in the Republic outside the Republic may only do so after written notice and in consultation with the Minister, what (a) total number of companies and/or individuals in the Bojanala area have submitted written notice and consulted with him in order to beneficiate ore containing chromium (Cr), (b) are the names of the companies and/or individuals and (c) are the details of the property on which the beneficiation is taking place; (2) whether, with regard to Section 5(4)(a), which states that no person may prospect for or remove, mine, conduct technical co-operation operations, reconnaissance operations, explore for and produce mineral or petroleum or commence with any work incidental thereto on any area without an approved environmental management programme or approved environmental management plan, as the case may be, he will furnish Mrs C Phillips with a copy of the plans of the companies and/or individuals referred to in question 1(a); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Section 26 of the Act was meant to promote beneficiation of mineral in the Republic. Section 26(3) requires any person who intends to beneficiate any mineral outside the Republic to so with written notice and in consultation with the Minister. The constraints on electricity have limited the ability to facilitate local beneficiation.
(a) There is no company and/or individual in the Bojanala area that has submitted written notice and consulted with the Minister.
(b) Please refer to 1(a)
(c) Please refer to 1(a)
2. Beneficiation of minerals outside a mining arear is managed in terms of NEMA.