Question NW2959 to the Minister of Mineral Resources
06 November 2017 - NW2959
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
With regard to the 10 interventions agreed to by the Mining Industry Growth Development and Employment Task Team aimed at saving jobs, what has his department achieved in respect of (a) delaying retrenchments to allow for consultation, (b) enhancing productivity and reduce cost pressures, (c) accelerating concurrent rehabilitation to create alternative jobs, (d) facilitating the sale of distressed assets, (e) finding other alternatives to avoid job losses (f) providing support to mineworkers where job losses cannot be avoided, (g) using multinational (MNE) levy to create alternative jobs, (h) streamlining the processes for downscaling and updating the database and exploring fiscal instruments, (i) promoting investment and market development and (MPP) (j) the communication and implementation of the plan?
Reply:
a) NSome companies have extended the 60 days consultation period to look for alternatives to save jobs.
b) Through Future Forums companies continue to identify and implement cost containment measures. The companies will include and implement turnaround strategies.
c) The development of the plan for utilization of the rehabilitation funds for concurrent rehabilitation is at an advanced stage.
d) The Department is developing a draft framework for consultation with stakeholders to enable a seamless transition to mitigate the impact of retrenchments as well as the economy.
e) Companies have implemented voluntary severance packages measures. Furthermore, employees have been deployed to other operations within the groups.
f) Companies have implemented their commitments as per the Social and Labour Plans this includes emotional, financial and employment counselling to assist retrenches to re-enter the labour market. In some reskilling has been provided.
g) Addressed as part of Mining Charter amendments pending court case.
h) Alignment of business processes underpinning Section 52 of MPRDA and Section 189 of LRA is being undertaken.
i) Promoting investment and market development
The Department of Mineral Resources in partnership with the dti, DST and State Agencies have developed institutional mechanisms for the development and facilitation of mining investment as Chaired by the DMR.
The DMR has led investment promotion efforts through policy advocacy and brand position at key international mining investment forums including Africa Down Under in Australia, and the China Mining Expo. We further plan to participate in the Mines and Money Conference in London, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in March 2018. On these missions the DMR has worked with relevant government departments to identify projects in South Africa and to support their projects in and outside of the Country. 12 junior miners accompanied the Director General to China Mining Expo and are in the process of following up on fledgling deals developed. The same approach was undertaken for the Platinum Group Metals Workshop taking place this week in Moscow. It is the aim of the Department to support a small group of these to travel to London to market their deals and find mutually beneficial partnerships that will bring more investment and jobs into South Africa. Locally the Minister has led consultations with the Black Business Council and the Platinum Industry amongst others to address constraints and leverage from opportunities to bring further investment into South Africa’s mining sector.
j) Where there’s a threat of job losses parties continue to communicate such in a responsible and sensitive manner.
Approved/Not Approved
Mr MJ Zwane, MP
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2017