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19 June 2023 - NW2095

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(a) What are the reasons that he withdrew the Gas Amendment Bill [B9-2021] on 8 September 2022 after the specified Bill was taken through public hearings in Parliament and (b) by what date does he intend to reintroduce the Bill?

Reply:

a) The Bill was withdrawn to address the inputs received from stakeholders during the Parliamentary consultation processes. Additionally, the Department also considered other developments which have taken place in the gas industry over time. These were found to be crucial for reflexion in the legislation going forward.

b) The Bill will be introduced to Parliament after following the prescribed broad stakeholder consultation.

19 June 2023 - NW2077

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

In light of the fact that the contract awarded to Turkish firm, Karpowership, to provide 1,220MW of energy to the Republic has been stalled by legal action and environmental concerns from nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) which seem to naturally block development instead of encouraging responsible development, what has the Government done to positively bring the NGOs to the table and on board to avoid them pulling in opposite directions and preventing much-needed development?

Reply:

In terms of the RFP issued for the Risk Mitigation IPP Procurement Programme, the Bidders assume responsibility to obtain all environmental consents. As such it is the responsibility of Karpowership to engage with the NGOs as well as other Interested and Affected Parties with regard to objections that they may have in the process of the environmental authorisations aligned with the provisions of the National Environmental Management Act.

Government continues through existing environmental legislation provision to consult and engage with key stakeholders.

19 June 2023 - NW1988

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) social responsibility programmes have been implemented by Kalgold Mine near Kraaipan in the North West in the past 10 years and (b) measures have been put in place to deal with defaulting mines that do not support their local communities?

Reply:

a) Kalgold Mine, Kalahari Gold Ridge Mining Company Ltd) near Kraaipan in the North-West, is a mining right holder of NW 30/5/1/2/2 77MR. The Social Responsibility Programme implemented in the past 10 years, which from the perspective of the provisions of the Act, is a Social and Labour Plan, that is part of the mining right holder’s obligation, are as follows:

  • Reverse Osmosis Water Project in Kraaipan village.
  • Community Skills Development and SMME Facility in Kraaipan village.
  • Setlagole RDP Houses Settlement Formalisation for Setlagole village.
  • Mining Education Infrastructure in Ratlou community – renovated one classroom into computer laboratory at Aaron Letsapa Primary.
  • SMME Development in Ratlou – Sewing project in Kraaipan village.
  • Refurbishment of Centre for Itereleng Self-Help Group in Madibogo.
  • Broad-Based Livelihood Vegetable and Livestock in Ratlou.
  • Youth Development Mobile Centre (ICT) at Ratlou Municipality.
  • Madibogo Tyre and Wheel Alignment.
  • Kraaipan Bricks and Aggregate Manufacturing.
  • And contributions towards various CSI initiatives (Donations of Laptops to top matric leaners, NGO Capacity building), Renovations of Resegofetse Early Learning Centre, Renovations of three classrooms)

In addition to the above, Kalgold Mine has offered 17 external bursaries, 05 external learnerships, 14 internships to the external candidates also.

b) The Department issues administrative orders in terms of section 93 to remedy non compliances.

19 June 2023 - NW1955

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

In light of the fact that after lengthy and expensive public hearings that were held across the Republic, his department withdrew the Gas Amendment Bill, citing changes in the industry that had an impact on the Bill’s finalisation, (a) what exactly are the developments and (b) how do they affect the Bill; (2) whether the goal of creating and/or revising legislation should not be to precisely govern the sector and any advancements within it as opposed to just adjusting legislation to cater for how the industry is evolving; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. (a) Since the withdrawal of the Gas Amendment Bill, the Department has been working on finalizing the revision of the Bill with the incorporation of all these factors and inputs. We are currently finalising inter-departmental consultations to solicit further inputs. At the conclusion of this process, we will follow the prescribed broader stakeholder consultation which will lead to the re-submission of the Bill in Parliament.

(b) The development of the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill and gas discoveries which came after the Gas Amendment Bill was drafted necessitated that we align the legislative frameworks for regulating the gas sector and ensure that there are no contradictions and overlaps.

2. Yes, the goal of drafting or amending legislation is to precisely govern the sector. However it is also important to amend such that the country has legislation that is keeping with the latest developments which sometimes include technological advancements.

19 June 2023 - NW2409

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Given his familiarity with the history of the Republic and the fact that the majority of those who want to participate in the economy are quite poor, what are the reasons that his department has not addressed the challenges faced by artisanal miners and small-scale miners, such as their inability to reach the provincial offices where they are expected to submit applications and their inability to pay for the necessary environmental licences, by (a) decentralising the application processes and (b) working with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment?

Reply:

(a). The current system of lodging applications for mining licenses is ELECTRONIC. The DMRE launched an online system, referred to as SAMRAD Online Application System, in 2014 where all applications for mining licenses are lodged. Furthermore, the online system was launched to make it easier for companies and individuals to lodge applications in the comfort of their company offices or homes.

(b). The DMRE through the Small-Scale Mining directorate has been assisting Artisanal Small -Scale Mining (ASM) miners through providing financial provision for rehabilitation to qualifying Historically Disadvantaged South African (HDSA). The environmental licenses are evaluated and granted by the DMRE (Competent Authority) whilst the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (Appeal Authority) deals with objections and appeals of environmental licenses.

19 June 2023 - NW2104

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Notwithstanding the settlement agreement that was approved by the Gauteng High Court on 26 July 2019 in favour of former miners and their dependants which led to the establishment of the Tshiamiso Trust, the beneficiaries and/or their survivors are still struggling to secure silicosis compensation from the gold mines, what (a) has he found to be the extent of the total number of beneficiaries affected and (b) steps has his department taken to ensure that the mines honour the settlement agreement and give the affected miners, who form part of the backbone of the economy, what is due to them?

Reply:

The Department of Mineral of Resources and Energy (DMRE) is legislatively not responsible for compensation of employees. There are two Departments in the Republic of South Africa that are responsible for compensation of employees. These are the Department of Health and the Department of Employment and Labour. Silicosis compensation is specifically the responsibility of the Department of Health through the administration of the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act (ODMWA) as amended.

The Tshiamiso Trust is established under the National Department of Health, through its Statutory Body called The Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases, which is responsible for compensation of all occupational lung diseases incurred by mineworkers and ex-mineworkers.

However, the DMRE supports the respective Departments on their respective programmes including on compensation.

02 June 2023 - NW1642

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Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) Whether, considering that the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations as amended (April 2017) require an EIA process through the compilation of a Basic Assessment Report (BAR) and Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPr) to apply for a prospecting and/or mining licence in accordance with certain Acts and regulations (details furnished), he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) mining licence and EIA and (b) EMPr for Portions 3, 11, 12 and 13 of Kernsig Twaalf Pty Ltd, in the Emakhazeni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) prospecting licence and BAR and (b) EMPr for Portions 28, 46, 72 and 73 of the farm Elandspruit 291 JS (DMRE Ref: MP 30/5/1/1/2/16326 PR) situated in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, under the Middelburg Magisterial District in Mpumalanga; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) mining permit and EIA and (b) EMPr for Portion 2 of the farm Elandspruit 291 JS (DMRE REF: MP 30/5/1/3/2/13516 MP) situated in the specified municipality in Mpumalanga; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. The Department does not have any record of an application lodged by Kwernsig Twaalf (Pty) Ltd and the property description is incomplete.
  2. There is no prospecting licence or BAR issued for the said application as it is still in process.
  3. There is no Mining Permit or EIA issued for the said application as it is still in process.

02 June 2023 - NW1895

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether the Government will subsidise rooftop solar panels for households and small , medium- and micro-enterprises, in line with the 4th mandate of the National Energy Crisis Committee to unleash businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) resolution has already found expression in National Treasury announcement of allowing tax rebates in as far as rooftop solar installation by households and The Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME).

02 June 2023 - NW1832

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Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1501 on 2 October 2020, wherein he undertook to provide the location of the memorial to fallen miners, ordered and paid for in 2017 by the Mine Health and Safety Council (details furnished) and noting that to date, no location of the specified memorial has been provided, he will confirm if the monument has indeed been installed; if not, what are the reasons that the memorial has not been installed; if so, what are the relevant details of the address where the memorial may currently be viewed; (2) whether, in view of the total amount of R 4 649 032,46 that was paid by his department to the service provider for the memorial, any additional money has been paid to the service provider; if not, what is the position in this regard; if, so, what total amount has been paid for the memorial to date?

Reply:

1. The Mine health and Safety Council (MHSC) identified the Workers Museum and Mary Fitzgerald Square as the most appropriate locations to install the memorial for the fallen mineworkers. Permission to continue with the project on the site was given by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), then the project was initiated. However, the initial permission was not honoured as a result of the changes of officials and administrators at the CoJ. In this regard, the monument will be placed at the MHSC Office Building whilst there is ongoing engagements regarding the identified sites at the City of Johannesburg.

2. The total project amount was R4 800 000,00 inclusive of value added Tax. The cost of R1 513 333.06 for additional concept and technical designs that were required for installation of the monument at the identified location was incurred, bringing the total to R6 313 333.06.

 

02 June 2023 - NW1408

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Given that mining communities in the Mokopane Local Municipality are lamenting about a number of issues that have been raised with his department to no avail (details furnished), what (a) are the reasons that his department has failed to intervene and (b) is the department’s policy position in respect of such complaints that are not being addressed which drive such communities to take up drastic measures out of frustration for not being heard?

Reply:

The department has been addressing and will continues to address all complaints brought forward, either from the mine communities or any other affected parties in this regard. Recently, the department was invited by Public Service Commission to participate in the Public Service Citizens Forum in Mogalakwena Local Municipality whereby, the communities of Mogalakwena were accorded an opportunity outline the challenges that they are experiencing with regard to Mining companies operating in Mogalakwena. The Department responded and provided clarity to all the issues/questions raised by the communities.

Social Labour Plans, Granted Environmental Authorisation and approved Environmental Management Programme are monitored during compliance inspections conducted by the Department, where a Mining Company is found to be non-compliant, a directive/ notice are issued by the Department instructing the company to remedial the contraventions, if the non-compliance persists, the department will issue another directive/ notice which indicates our intentions to cancel the mining right. The mining companies are mandated to adhere to the implementation of Social Labour Plans, Granted Environmental Authorisation and approved Environmental Management Programme.

26 May 2023 - NW1416

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether he intends to rescind his decision not to table in the National Assembly his department’s report on alleged rampant corruption in his department’s regional office in Mpumalanga, which followed the weeks long closure of the specified office in order to investigate the alleged corruption; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

There is no intention to rescind the decision to table the said report in the National Assembly as the fact-finding report was intended for internal use by management.

26 May 2023 - NW1702

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Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether he will furnish Mr W F Faber with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) his department and (b) every entity reporting to him in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?

Reply:

Department of Minerals Resource and Energy

(aa) Total procurement for 2021/2022 financial year amounted to R1 168 164 849,84 of which R278 887 344,36 was spent on SMMEs.

(i) Percentage allocated to SMMEs = 24% (R278 887 344.36)

➢ Qualifying small enterprises = 7% (R77 835 797.00)

➢ Exempted Micro Enterprises = 17% (R201 051 547.36)

(ii) Cooperatives = 0%

(iii) Township enterprises = **

(iv) Rural enterprises = **

** The information for township enterprises and rural enterprises was not kept separately. The two categories are included in the QSE and EME as part of the qualification criteria for preferential purposes in line with the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017.

bb) Figures from 1 April 2023 will be available by end of the first quarter.

COUNCIL FOR GEOSCIENCE (CGS)

(aa) Total procurement spend for the financial year 2021/22 amounted to R 234 968 715 of which R99 819 497 (42%) was spent on small, medium and micro-enterprises which includes cooperatives, rural enterprises and township enterprises.

(bb) The amount expensed towards the SMME cohort for the current year since April will be consolidated at the end of the quarter ending June.

MHSC

MHSC have in total appointed 103 service providers / companies during 2021-22 financial and from 1 April 2023 to 12 May 2023. The percentages are as follows:

  1. Small – 48 companies were appointed from 103 service providers equal to 47%.
  2. Township Enterprises - 60% (29) of the small companies of 48 are township enterprises.
  3. Medium - 26 companies were appointed from 103 service providers equal to 25%.
  4. Micro – 12 companies were appointed from 103 service providers equal to 12%.
  5. Big – 17 companies were appointed from 103 service providers equal to 17%.
  6. Cooperatives – No appointments made to the cooperative companies.
  7. Rural enterprises – No appointments made to the rural enterprises.

NERSA

(b) (i) NERSA’s spend on Qualifying Small Enterprises and Exempt Micro Enterprises was as follows (aa) 2021-22 - R31 288 179 (bb) 2022-23 - R69 159 653 (cc) Since April 2023 – The reports are prepared quarterly. The first report will be available at the end of June 2023 (ii) Cooperatives – None (iii) Township enterprises – No data is kept on the category (iv) Rural enterprises – No data is kept on the category

SDT

For the financial year that ended 31 March 2022, the State Diamond Trader spent a total of R5,597,000 on procurement of goods and services, with the percentages allocated as follow

  1. Small-, medium- and micro-enterprises: 91%
  2. Co- operatives : 0%
  3. Township enterprises : 0%
  4. Rural enterprises :0%
  5. Other: 9%

NECSA

(aa)(i) The total values for procurement with small, medium and micro-enterprises for the FY 2021/2022 period are as follows:

Necsa Group: R84 936 240, 28 (9%)

[Necsa: R 43 531 148.59 (12%)

NTP: R 25 994 130.96 (6%)

Pelchem: R 15 410 960.73 (12%)]

(bb)(i) The total values for procurement with small, medium and micro-enterprises for 01 April 2023 to date are as follows:

Necsa Group: R11 086 614 (16%)

[Necsa Company: R 7 681 574.29 (15%)

NTP: R 2 996 467.22 (26%)

Pelchem: R 408 572.34 (6%)]

(aa)(iii) The Necsa Group conducts business with enterprises that are situated in the townships under a broad umbrella of enterprises that are at least 51% Black-Owned and the figures of expenditure for the FY2021/22 period are as follows:

Necsa Group: R175 169 709.52 (18.7%)

[Necsa: R 72 387 163.52 (19%)

NTP: R 64 299 294.54 (15%)

Pelchem: R 38 483 251.46 (30%)]

(bb)(iii) The figures for the business conducted with enterprises that are situated in the townships under a broad umbrella of enterprises that are at least 51% Black-Owned for the period 01 April 2023 to date are as indicated below:

Necsa Group: R28 035 116 (40.6%)

[Necsa Company: R 20 741 548.04 (41%)

NTP: R 4 619 747.17 (40%)

Pelchem: R 2 673 820.39 (42%]

(aa)(ii), (bb)(ii), (aa)(iv) and (bb)(iv)

The Necsa Group does not currently conduct business with cooperatives and rural enterprises.

NNR

(aa) The NNR’s total procurement budget for the 2021/2022 financial year was R74 842 438 of which 68% was spent on the designated groups, equalling R46 056 045.

(bb) Since April 2023, the NNR has spent R5 536 879, which is 84% of the total budget of R6 571 080 on designated groups.

NRWDI

The National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute, which is a Schedule 3A public entity, conducts its procurement in line with the applicable procurement regulations and prescripts as issued by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer, National Treasury.

Such procurement is conducted in alignment with the PPPFA, and BEE levels have been considered in terms of preference points in the awarding of bids. As a result, there is no information that is requested or captured in the entity’s records that reflects (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises.

SADPMR

No, the SADPMR will not be able to furnish the details required. The Procurement Regulations 2017 were applicable from 1st of April 2022 until 15 January 2023 and the procurement thereof was aligned to the requirements. With effect from 16 January 2023 the new Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022 came into effect and are implemented accordingly. An internal policy with specific preferential procurement goals has been put in place, these goals include enterprises owned by black people, enterprises owned by black women, enterprises owned by youth, enterprises owned by people with disabilities, local content and production as well as Small, Medium and Micro enterprises. A minimum of three of the goals are applicable for each bid or tender that is issued by SADPMR.

SANEDI

 

Comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation

 

2021-2022 FY

2022-2023 FY

2023-2024 FY

(i)Number of Small-, Medium- and Micro-Enterprises.

65 SMMEs

22 SMMEs

0

(ii)Number of Cooperatives.

0

0

0

(iii)Number of township enterprises.

0

0

0

(i) Number of rural enterprises.

0

0

0

There is no Skills Development and Localization policy in place and going forward SANEDI will have an approved policy in place.

Mintek

Mintek is a research council that is mandated to promote mineral technology, and to foster the establishment and expansion of industries in the field of minerals and products derived therefrom through research, development, and technology transfer. The annual budget allocation from the Department is primarily allocated to human capital development, research activities, and industry development broadly; namely, small-, medium- and micro enterprises and large enterprises. As a Schedule 3B government business enterprise, Mintek procures in accordance with the PPPFA and the PFMA. As a result, Mintek does not pre-allocate its procurement budget as per the specified categories (i.e., small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, cooperatives, township enterprises and rural enterprises).

CENTRAL EENERGY FUND

26 May 2023 - NW1899

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Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) is the current energy availability factor at Eskom and (b) measures has his department put in place to increase the energy availability factor to beyond 73% as presented by Eskom to avoid a total collapse of the grid that is predicted?

Reply:

Energy Availability Factor is currently around 50%. This is a dynamic number highly dependent on operations. Department of Public Enterprises who oversees Eskom operations could provide you with updates regularly on EAF and their respective plans to increase plant availability upon request. In line with the 2019 IRP, we are continuing with procurement of additional MW to augment energy generation capacity pursuant to security of supply.

 

26 May 2023 - NW1896

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether the incentive-based (R/MWh) demand response mechanism has been launched alongside the national campaign to introduce the set of actions to address load shedding and achieve energy security as announced by the President of the Republic ,Mr M C Ramaphosa in his address to the nation on 25 July 2022; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details surrounding the implementation of the campaigns?

Reply:

Yes, Eskom has launched a number of incentive-based demand side response mechanism customised for different market segments. This is over and above the long standing DMRE lead demand side tax incentive scheme pursuant to Income Tax Regulation12L. Department of Public Enterprises who oversees Eskom operations would be willing to provide you more information in respect of their programmes should you request.

26 May 2023 - NW1757

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Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Given that the Republic’s energy grid relies heavily on coal and will continue to do so for some time, what (a) are the reasons that there is no budget for research and pilot programmes for clean coal technologies in the 2023-24 financial year and (b) partnerships exist between his department and other departments running similar research to ensure that clean coal technologies are incorporated into the energy generation methods going forward?

Reply:

a) In the current year 2023/24, the focussed research on the clean coal technology intervention through the Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is undertaken through ring-fenced partnership funding between the South African government and the World Bank. It may be necessary to allocate a budget dedicated to this research in support of the just energy transition policy more sustainably.

b) The clean coal research represents a partnership amongst the DMRE, National Treasury, Eskom and the World Bank. The Council for Geoscience was elected as an implementing agent in 2021 to lead the research and implements the same through strategic partnerships to optimise the research outcomes and its application to use the abundant coal resources responsibly and in line with our multi-lateral commitment on climate mitigation measures.

Mintek currently has the following coal-related research projects: (1) Gasification of waste coal fines and co-gasification of low-grade coal and (2) Rare earth elements (REE) leaching from coal discards. We are currently in discussions with a funding agency to extract REE from acid mine drainage. Recent publications from Mintek research activities include:

  1. Literature review on the extraction of ultra-clean coal and rare earth elements from coal discards by ultrasonic-assisted chemical treatment,
  2. Characterisation of coal for the simultaneous extraction of rare earth elements and ultra-clean coal,
  3. Co-Carbonization of Discard Coal with Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate towards the Preparation of Metallurgical Coke, and
  4. Mineralogy and distribution of rare earth elements in the Waterberg coalfield high ash coals.

Mintek has budgeted R10 million for the next three years of its funds in coal-related research, and the funding is anticipated to increase as more funds are being sought.

19 May 2023 - NW1400

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Mahlaule, Mr MG to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Considering that the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) of 2019 will be reviewed in its entirety, including specifically to update electricity demand forecast up to 2050, and that the revised IRP of 2023 will be submitted to Cabinet for approval by the end of the 2023-24 financial year, (a) what are the preferred energy generation technologies identified in the revised IRP 2023 and (b) how will the preferred energy generation technologies address the short- to long-term energy challenges that the Republic faces on least-costly electricity as well as the supply and demand balance?

Reply:

a) The process of developing the IRP is mainly a technical modelling activity of the power system. Inputs assumptions into the model consider all commercially viable and proven generation technology options. The output of modelling is the proposed energy generation technologies are a function of cost, environmental impact and lead time. The output is also a function of energy availability factor of the existing generation plant including the decommissioning plan.

b) At the Policy level the output of the technical model should take into account energy security and energy sovereignty and the needs of South Africa as a developing country. The preferred plan should therefore consider the impact on the economy as a whole. It therefore must not be only about least technology cost but about the least cost to the economy.

19 May 2023 - NW1550

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Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What is the current breakdown in terms of projected power output of all Independent Power Producers that have reached financial close across the Republic?

Reply:

The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme has to date contracted 115 Projects with a total capacity of 9218 MW. 92 projects have reached COD totalling 7209 MW and 24 Projects are still under construction.

19 May 2023 - NW1467

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Considering that petroleum remains in the custody of the state and noting the recent decision by his department to grant a certain energy company (name furnished) environmental authorisation to conduct exploratory drilling between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas, what (a) financial benefits does he envisage for the state and its citizens should the efforts by the specified company prove fruitful and (b) are the reasons that the state is not investing in building its own capacity to explore, produce and sell gas and oil products found on its shores?

Reply:

The joint-venture partnership which has been granted environmental authorisation for exploration drilling in the west coast block comprises TotalEnergies, Shell and PetroSA. TotalEnergies is the operator for the joint-venture, hence the environmental authorisation is directed to TotalEnergies but the license is for the joint-venture which includes the state owned company, PetroSA.

a) It is premature to provide estimate of the financial benefits that would accrue to the state and our people if the exploration was to be successful as this would depend on the actual size of the discovery. We know though that licensees must pay royalties to the fiscus for the oil and gas they extract or produce. The revenue to the fiscus will benefit all our people. If the efforts are fruitful, the project will create permanent employment for some of our people.

b) The state, through PetroSA, has capacity for exploration and production of oil and gas as demonstrated by PetroSA’s 20 years track record in producing oil and gas in the south coast which was used as feedstock to the gas-to-liquids (GTL) refinery in Mossel Bay. PetroSA continues to build its capacity to play a more meaningful role in the upstream oil and gas sector as envisaged in Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, 2021. (The UPRD Bill sets the mandatory state participation at 20% carried interest). PetroSA’s participation in the west coast block recently licensed for exploration is an example of how they continue to build their capacity.

19 May 2023 - NW1415

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

By what date does he envisage that he will table amending legislation in the National Assembly, as recommended by the Report of the Portfolio Committees on Mineral Resources and Energy, Home Affairs and Police on the Joint Oversight Visit on Illegal Mining to Five South African Provinces, dated 25 November 2022?

Reply:

Based on the Department’s assessment and the Report of the Portfolio Committees on Mineral Resources and Energy, Home Affairs and Police on the Joint Oversight Visit on Illegal Mining to Five South African Provinces, dated 25 November 2022, the department in consultation with interested and affected parties has begun work to identify gaps on the MPRDA and Precious Metals Act that may need to be amended. The intention is to submit these Bills for tabling in Cabinet during 2024/25 financial year. Work to amend the Diamond Act No. 56 of 1986 is underway and public consultation is planned for Quarter 2 this financial year.

19 May 2023 - NW1406

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Considering the fact that it was noted at the recent Mining Indaba held from 6 to 9 February 2023 that there cannot be an energy transition without the mining sector (details furnished), what sustainable plan and/or strategy has his department put in place to ensure that mining outputs has unhindered access to ports now and in future?

Reply:

Rail and port operations are the responsibility of Transnet which reports to the Department of Public Enterprises. The Department continues to raise the issue of port and rail constraints with relevant parties.

05 May 2023 - NW1177

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) steps has his department taken to resolve the plight of the people in the Emalahleni village near Mtubatuba, in KwaZulu-Natal, who may have to elocate and/or risk dying from respiratory diseases that are a result of the mining activities from Tendele Coal Mine and (b) are the reasons that the poor persons of the specified village have to resort to the High Court and nongovernmental organisations to seek protection from the specified mine whereas his department should play the role of oversight and intervene where there is noncompliance?

Reply:

a) The Department is not aware of any specific cases related to respiratory diseases and resulting deaths attributed to the mine relating to the community or its employees. The Department will continue to investigate all complaints received within the prescripts of the prevailing legislation.

b) The Department has been actively involved in facilitating discussions between all stakeholders in due consideration of the Departments regulatory role. The choice to seek alternative relief away from the existing engagements and structures created to facilitate these engagements is the choice of specific individuals and NGO’s.

The Mine continues to engage those who are directly affected in respect of relocations and has signed agreements with a majority of the identified officials. They have advised that they continue to engage those with whom they have not yet reached an agreement. The Mine has also indicated that they will abide by the decisions, directives or requests of the Court accordingly.

19 April 2023 - NW1265

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Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Electricity

(1) In view of recent data that shows that the most unexploited avenue of potentialelectricity production in the Republic lies in the lack of wind-based power production facilities, and considering that the Republic has greater wind power production potential than its geographical neighbours, what projects that are focused on upgrading the wind power production are currently in place in the Republic; (2) what areas have been identified as potential sites for upcoming wind power production facilities; (3) what is the Republic’s current target for wind produced power by 2030 in relation to the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan commitments?

Reply:

1. Solar PV, wind and CSP with storage present an opportunity to diversify the electricity mix, to produce distributed generation and to provide off-grid electricity. Renewable technologies also present huge potential for the creation of new industries, job creation and localization across the value chain. As of 31 January 2023, 134 IPPs have been selected as preferred bidders with 11 904MW of electricity capacity procured, of this, 6 105 MW is already operational from 89 IPPs with 82397Gwh of energy generated from renewable energy sources. The IRP(2019) plan for wind from 2019-2030 is a total of 17742MW.

2. The Wind Atlas developed for South Africa provides a basis for the quantification of the potential that wind holds for power generation elsewhere in the country, over and above the prevalence of the wind resource around the coastal areas. Most wind projects have been developed in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, so far.

3. The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 targets a total installed electricity generating capacity of 77,834MW. This total installed electricity generation capacity is expected to comprise of the following technologies; Coal (43%), Wind (22.53%), Solar PV (10.52%), Gas & Diesel (8.1%), Storage (6.35%), Hydro (5.84%), Nuclear (2.36%) and CSP (0.76%).Wind generation is targeted to make up 17,742MW of this installed electricity generation capacity by 2030.

End.

14 April 2023 - NW1060

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Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) What is the rand value of (a)(i) diesel, (ii) petroleum and (iii) black oil products that have been purchased by PetroSA through prepayment to the suppliers since 1 July 2022 and (b) the specified products that have actually been delivered to PetroSA; (2) whether there has been any discrepancy between the two specified values; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the reasons for such a discrepancy and (b) steps have been taken to recover the shortfall in delivery and/or reimburse the supplier for over-delivery?

Reply:

(1) PetroSA has indicated that the rand value of prepayments are as follows:

(a)(i) R4,083,366,060.00

(ii) None

(iii) None

(b) Volume of diesel

(2) See attached table

(a) The main discrepancy in shipping diesel or petroleum products is due to allowance for temperature differentials, undischargeable product, product remaining in the ship’s lines and the potential for apparent losses due to evaporation.

(b) Yes, if there are any product shortfalls or over delivery the balance is recovered or reimbursed.

12 April 2023 - NW963

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, in view of the fact that the Republic’s mineral enrichment is not booming despite its considerable mineral wealth, but deteriorating due to the lack of a stable, predictable, user-friendly and functional regulatory regime, his department has any plans in place to introduce a mining cadastre management system to provide transparency and entice greater exploration investment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, the Department has commenced with the process of procuring a Mining Licensing System in collaboration with SITA with the intent to have the system operational within 1 year after procurement.

12 April 2023 - NW1059

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Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) Whether the policies of PetroSA have changed with regard to the prepayment for the purchase of bulk petroleum products from external suppliers since 1 July 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what necessitated the change and (b) who authorised the changes to the policy; (2) what checks and balances have been put in place to ensure that the products paid for (a) are actually received and (b) meet the appropriate technical specifications; (3) what credit checks and/or other vetting procedures were utilised prior to implementing the specified change; (4) on which provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, does PetroSA rely to make such prepayments?

Reply:

1. PetroSA does not have a prepayment policy.

(a) See 1 above

(b) Not applicable, any change in policy has to be approved by the PetroSA Board

(2) (a) Payment for products is only released when the cargo vessel is docked at our seashores either in Mossel Bay or Cape Town and after confirmation received from PetroSA appointed Shipping Agents and Surveyors that the vessel has arrived and is ready to discharge and,

(b) The product is sampled upon vessel arrival, to confirmed that the cargo on board the vessel meets PetroSA Standard import specifications. PetroSA pays and takes title after all the samples and confirmation has been done. If it happened that the cargo is off spec, PetroSA would reject it without incurring any costs.

(3) There was no policy change as per 1 above, however, companies that transact with PetroSA are registered onto the National Treasury Database as well as PetroSA supplier database. There is a rigorous vetting process conducted by the PetroSA Treasury, Risk and Compliance Departments to ensure that suppliers listed on the database are in a position to deliver the requested products.

(4) If there is a contractual requirement for pre-payment, PetroSA rely on Regulation 31.1.2 (c) of the PFMA Treasury Regulations which authorises pre-payments only when contractual arrangements with suppliers bind the entity.

12 April 2023 - NW1124

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, considering that it was reported in 2019 that his department set a five-year target of capturing up to 5% of world exploration spend, whilst at the time the Republic had attracted just over 1% of world spend which reportedly sank to 0,8% last year, his department has any plans towards reaching the specified goal; if not, why not; if so, what (a) steps will his department take towards easing explorations in the Republic and (b) are the relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

(a) & (b) During this time government adopted an exploration strategy together with its implementation plan and augmented the funding for Council for Geoscience (CGS) to focus primarily on geo-mapping to support exploration. The CGS has now accelerated its mapping programme and launched a data portal to increase the efficacy of data access to all.

12 April 2023 - NW1125

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether his department has planned any projects with the Office of the Minister of Electricity, especially with regard to (a) energy generation and (b) renewable energy projects; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

The energy generation is still guided by the IRP, relevant policies, and regulatory prescripts.

The National Energy Crisis Committee is a Presidential led initiative which comprises of a number of Ministries including Minister of Electricity, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy working together to resolve electricity supply challenges through a number of interventions.

12 April 2023 - NW829

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

With reference to the imbizo organised by his department in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, in the week of 2 March 2023 to provide feedback to stakeholders on the progress made with regard to the ex-mineworkers compensation fund programme, and to urge eligible claimants to continue with the lodgement process, what (a) are the full relevant details of the specified fund and (b) total number of ex-miners has benefited from the fund to date?

Reply:

a) The ex-mineworker’s compensation fund programme is the government’s national campaign that tracks, traces and pay former mineworkers' unclaimed benefits, including provident funding and compensation for lung diseases contracted on the job. The Department of Health is responsible for providing compensation benefits to eligible current and ex-mineworkers for occupational lung diseases caused by hazardous exposures in the mines. It also administers the Fund in accordance with the Occupational Diseases of Mines and Works Act, 78 of 1973 which provides for the compensation of occupational injuries or occupational diseases contracted by employees during the course of their employment or death caused by such injuries or illness.

b) 77 403 claims to current and ex-mineworkers or their beneficiaries (if the mineworker is deceased) have been paid as of 27 March 2023 amounting to R2 470 806 271, 00 in South Africa and other countries.

12 April 2023 - NW1004

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

With reference to fuel prices that are still soaring despite the sale of the strategic fuel stock that was sold to curb the fuel hike in the 2021-22 financial year, (a) how effective has he found the sale of fuel to have been and (b) what would the estimated price of fuel per litre have been without the intervention?

Reply:

The interim relief that was implemented by the Government through the sale of strategic stocks cushioned the pump prices by R1,50 per litre during the months of April and May 2022. The South African consumers could have paid R1,50 per litre more for petrol and diesel during the same period if the relief was not there.

24 March 2023 - NW606

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Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1)Whether, with reference to illegal sand mining that is allegedly taking place in the Paterson area, located in the Sundays River Valley Municipality in the Eastern Cape (details furnished), and noting that while the specified matter has reportedly been raised in municipal meetings before, no action has been taken, he has been informed of the alleged illegal sand mining; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what steps does his department intend to take to ensure that the specified matter is properly investigated and the perpetrators are brought to book; (3) what steps does his department intend to take to (a) rehabilitate the land that has been impacted by the alleged illegal sand mining and (b) prevent such activities from taking place in the future?

Reply:

1. The Department is aware of illegal mining in Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape and has brought this matter to the law enforcement agencies as this is a criminal activity.

2. Refer to (1) above.

3. (a) The Department continues to seal off open shafts and rehabilitate the disused and derelict mines within the available budget. (b) The law enforcement agencies will ensure that perpetrators of illegal mining are brought to justice.

24 March 2023 - NW972

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Mthenjane, Mr DF to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, noting how illegal mining usually occurs in disused shafts which were closed down, he has considered artisan mining so as to train the illegal miners to be qualified mining artisans so that disused mines can be legally operational?

Reply:

a) Illegal mining is regarded as a serious crime and cannot be equated to Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining. In 2021 the Department introduced the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Strategy as a policy intervention to drive the development of Artisanal and Small-Scale miners and encourage the participation of Historically Disadvantaged South Africans.

b) Any person who wishes to participate in mining / prospecting activities is allowed to apply in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) and the above policy guideline.

24 March 2023 - NW970

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Mthenjane, Mr DF to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What long-term plans of intervention has his department put in place to tackle the wide-scale illegal mining operations across the Republic in the past three years?

Reply:

a) The National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (NEMA) provides for regulation of activities which cannot be undertaken without an Environmental Authorisation, such listed activities includes mining and prospecting activities. If any person conducts a listed activity without an approved Environmental Authorisation they are committing an offense in terms of section 49A of NEMA and can be prosecuted following an investigation.

b) The Department is working with law enforcement authorities to deal with the scourge of illegal mining. There are several multi-disciplinary and intelligence led operations that have been successfully undertaken in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North-West, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Free State in this financial year. The operations are at various stages of investigation as a result, details remain sub judice, however, additional information can be obtained from the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority.

c) It should also be noted, especially with recent experiences in illegal mining, that the scourge has become an organised crime often led by sophisticated crime syndicates. Further operations are being planned together with law enforcement authorities to respond to challenges caused by illegal mining activities in the country.

d) The South African Police Service has also set up the Economic Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) which role is to address the scourge of crimes within the non-ferrous metals, essential infrastructure, critical infrastructure, extortion, and illegal mining. The Department of Minerals and Energy is working together with the envisaged unit.

24 March 2023 - NW944

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether his department has any plans to collaborate with other countries in order to develop green mineral mining policies which will make it easier to attract investment, but would help to prevent past policy failures in that it will ensure that the countries benefited from the mining investments; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the status of the development of national policies on the mining of green minerals; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

South Africa has not officially declared any minerals green. The Department is in the process of developing a strategy on critical minerals which will also reflect on minerals that are considered as green to support the country’s just energy transition.

24 March 2023 - NW497

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, noting that his department listed community unrest as a reason for decreased appetite by private investors, while organised crime, theft and an increase in violence continue to threaten the mining sector of the Republic, his department has any intergovernmental collaborations and/or programmes to (a) mitigate the threats and (b) re-establish a secure environment for investment; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the (i) programmes, (ii) impact thereof to date, (iii) funding and (iv) monitoring of the specified programmes?

Reply:

Community unrests and protest can be minimized where there are good relationships and proper stakeholder engagements between mining companies and mine communities.

The Department is conducting community workshops to educate mine communities on their rights and expectations where mining is taking place, and to improve communication and corporation between the mines, community representative structures and other relevant stakeholders.

To decrease community unrests, the Department participates in the formalisation of community representative structures to promote a level playing field for consultation and engagement between mines and communities. To achieve this, the Department is engaging and working in collaboration with COGTA and SALGA for the endorsement of community structures.

However, it is the responsibility of mining companies to exercise a high level of meaningful consultation and engagement with their stakeholders. This is further stipulated in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act Regulations (published in March 2020) in line with the EIA Regulations of the NEMA. The Department is determined to enforce these Regulations and intensify compliance on publication of Social and Labour Plans by the mining companies. Where non-compliance is found, statutory notices or directives will be issued to such mining companies as stipulated by the legislative framework.

24 March 2023 - NW853

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Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What intervening measures has he taken against mining companies in Gauteng which are responsible for water pollution and who is posing a health hazard to residents in the specified area?

Reply:

The Competent Authority for regulation and Management of Water Resources is Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS).

24 March 2023 - NW851

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1)What is the status of the request that his department and all pertinent stakeholders should review the contracts of Independent Power Producers (IPP); (2) whether he will furnish Ms P Madokwe with information about all (a) IPPs that are overcharging the State, (b) IPP contracts that the State has since entered into to help with load shedding and (c) relevant details regarding the (i) names of the directors of the companies, (ii) price per unit of power charged to the State and (iii) length of the specified contracts in each case; if not, why not; if so, by what date in each case?

Reply:

In respect of (1)

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the IPP Sector (primarily Project Companies and Lenders) engage with the matter pertaining to tariffs perceived to be high. It was resolve that a refinancing mechanism be introduced to facilitate the reduction of tariffs without affecting project viability.

To date 15 projects have successfully refinanced their debt thus saving consumers R 4 billion rands in tariffs over the term of the contracts. More refinancing applications are being processed.

In respect of (2)(a)(b)(c)

The said information could be provided upon receipt of a request. It should be noted that such information provision will be done in accordance with legislation such as the POPI Act.

24 March 2023 - NW839

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Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What plan does his department have to mitigate the plight of communities that are held hostage by illegal miners, despite the intervention and oversight conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy together with the Portfolio Committee on Police?

Reply:

The Department is working with law enforcement authorities to deal with the scourge of illegal mining. There are several multi-disciplinary and intelligence led operations that have been successfully undertaken in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North-West, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Free State in this financial year. The operations are at various stages of execution.

17 March 2023 - NW816

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What are the details of the (a) origin and (b) breakdown of the R500 million exploration fund that his department created in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation, which he announced during the 2023 Investing in African Mining Indaba on 6 March 2023?

Reply:

a) The South African exploration landscape had reached its lowest ebb, notwithstanding its exceptional geology suggesting that the country remains host to the most prospective discovery of the world class mineral and hydrocarbons discoveries. Accentuated by these contradictions, the Government worked with the mining industry to develop a comprehensive “Exploration Implementation Plan, which identifies, inter alia, the lack of appetite by the South African financial sector to invest in exploration, deemed to be the lifeblood of the future of the extractive industry, which remains the base of the country’s economy. The Plan was presented to Cabinet, with a proposed intervention to create a relatively small fund for the purposes of exploration, in order to demonstrate the capacity of a major discovery and affirm the importance of geology in de-risking exploration with maximum returns.

b) On this basis, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy secured a Cabinet approval for R200 million towards this initiative. A further R300 million was committed by the IDC towards the fund, in order to give it sufficient impetus to start implementation thereof.

17 March 2023 - NW643

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) steps are being taken to hold mining companies accountable for the number of mining incidents that occur in each year, including those that are not recorded and/or reported by mining companies and (b) repercussions are there for mining companies that often collude with trade unions, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and medical facilities to hide and/or deny mining incidents that occur on their property?

Reply:

(a) The Department conducts investigations and inquiries, and the following measures are implemented where non-compliance is revealed:

  1. Shutting down of respective operations pending the implementation of any determined remedial steps,
  2. Suspension of legal appointments of managers and supervisors in charge of working areas with poor health and safety conditions,
  3. Recommendation for criminal prosecution to the National Prosecuting Authority for all those who the findings of the inquiry proves that they may have been liable of serious violation of the law or have been found to be grossly negligent in their acts leading to an injury or fatal accident at a mine.

(b) No case of collusion has been reported to the Department by any person at this stage.

17 March 2023 - NW514

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Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer and (ii) top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to him and (b) total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?

Reply:

What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CEF GROUP

R5,295,000.00

SFF

R4,991,770.03

AEMFC

R3,997,500.00

PETROSA GROUP CEO(ACTING)

R4,371,900.00

PASA

R3 083 748.00

CGS

R4,042,419.96

MHSC

R2,233,480.56

MINTEK

R4,282,704.00

NECSA GROUP

R3,200,000.00

NTP

R2,910,000.00

PELCHEM

R2,191,300.00

NERSA

R2,349,821.21

NNR

R2,888,695.00

NRWDI

R2,306,915.00

SADPMR

R2,595,996.61

SANEDI

R2,611,452,00

SDT

R2,149,994.00

(ii) Top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to him and

CEF SOC EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

GROUP CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

R3,610,342.80

GROUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R3,285,273.00

GROUP STRATEGY AND SUBSIDIARY MANAGER

R2,929,356.92

GROUP CHIEF AUDIT

R1,867,817.65

GROUP COMPLIANCE OFFICER

R2,647,500.00

GROUP CORPORATE SERVICES

R2,887,683.32

GROUP COMPANY SECRETARY

R1,974,266.17

AEMFC EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R2,460,000.00

GM: TECHNICAL SERVICES

R2,049,999.96

GM: CORPORATE SERVICES

R2,586,075.00

GM: MINING OPERATIONS

R2,767,500.00

GM: STRATEGY AND PLANNING

R1,845,000.00

COMPANY SECTERARY

R1,200,000.00

SFF EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

R2,544,328.28

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R2,687,500.00

GM: CORPORATE AFFAIRS

R2,078,473.54

GM: OPERATIONS

R2,000,000.00

HR EXECUTIVE

R2,078,473.54

EXECUTIVE CAPITAL PROJECTS

R2,593,704.42

EXECUTIVE E&P

R2,848,750.00

PETROSA EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

GROUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R4,167,807.00

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (ACTING)

R3,768,000.00

COMPANY SECRETARY

R2,074,050.00

EXECUTIVE: HUMAN CAPITAL

R2,561,355.00

EXECUTIVE: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

R2,774,769.00

EXECUTIVE: TRADING

R2,774,769.00

PASA EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER (COO) 

R2 753 920.00

COMPANY SECRETARY / LEGAL COUNSEL

R1 941 633.00

MANAGER: LICENSING & REGULATION

R1 941 633.00

MANAGER: COMMUNICATIONS & STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS

R1 999 201.00

MANAGER: HUMAN RESOURCES

R1 941 633.00

CGS EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER (COO) 

R2,849,622.84

EXECUTIVE MANAGER OFFICE OF THE CEO

R2,300,000.00

EXECUTIVE MANAGER GEOSCIENNTIFIC SERVICES

R2,155,413,60

EXECUTIVE INTEGRATED GEOSIENCE DEVELOPMENT

R2,155,423,60

EXECUTIVE CORPORATE SERVICES

R2,155,413.66

MHSC EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER (COO) 

R2,459,026.56

EXECUTIVE MANAGER OFFICE OF THE CEO

R1,550,000.00

MINTEK EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R2,861,217.00

GENERAL EXECUTIVE: MINING, MATERIALS AND AUTOMATION

R2,360,670.00

GENERAL EXECUTIVE: MINERAL PROCESSING

R2,314,778.00

NECSA EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

GROUP EXECUTIVE: FINANCIAL CAPITAL

R2,750,000.00

GROUP EXECUTIVE: HUMAN CAPITAL

R2,500,000.00

GROUP EXECUTIVE: STRATEGY & BUSINESS ENABLEMENT

R2,303,400.00

GROUP EXECUTIVE: RESEARCH & INNOVATION

R2,191,300.00

GROUP EXECUTIVE: NUCLEAR OPERATIONS & ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

R2,650,000.00

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NTP

R2,910,000.00

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PELCHEM

R2,191,300.00

GROUP EXECUTIVE: POWER & INDUSTRY (RESIGNED IN JAN 2023)

R2,400,000.00

EXECUTIVE IN THE OFFICE OF THE GROUP CEO

R1,850,000.00

HEAD OF INTEGRATED ASSURANCE

R1,700,000.00

COMPANY SECRETARY

R1,546,410.00

NERSA EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

(a)(i) FULL TIME REGULATOR MEMBERS (FRTM)

 

FRTM: PIPED GAS

R2,150,430.76

FRTM: PETROLEUM PIPELINES

R2,150,430.76

FRTM: ELECTRICITY

R2,150,430.76

   

(a)(ii) EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

 

EM: PIPED GAS REGULATION

R2,090,164.32

EM: PETROLEUM PIPELINES

R1,774,099.56

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R2,304,770.04

EM: ELECTRICITY REGULATION

R2,187,484.80

CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER

R2,410,897.68

EM: CORPORATE SERVICES (Acting)

R2,217,151.52

SRNM: CEO OFFICE

R1,731,038.85

CHIEF AUDIT EXECUTIVE

R1,972,610.04

SENIOR MAN REGULATORY ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH

R1,721,088.36

SNRM: REGULATORY SUPPORT

R1,812,368.64

SNR MANAGER: STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MONITORING

R1,578,257.64

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

R1,607,346.84

   

NNR EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R2,115,429.00

EXECUTIVE: NPP

R2,200,897.00

EXECUTIVE: CSS

R2,063,166.00

EXECUTIVE: RITS

R1,991,111.00

EXECUTIVE: NTN

R1,991 113.00

NRWDI EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

R1,793,520.00

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

R1,961,664.00

CHIEF OPERATIONS MANAGER

R1,905,612.00

EXECUTIVE MANAGER CORPORATE SERVICES

R1,849,572,00

   

SADPMR EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

R1,907,351. 28

GM: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

R1,907,351. 28

GM: DIAMOND TRADE

R1,949,131. 44

GM: CORPORATE SERVICES

R1,945,403. 40

GM LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE

R1,907,351. 28

SANEDI EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

R1,445,110.58

GENERAL MANAGER: ENERGY EFFICIENCY

R1,400,000.00

GENERAL MANAGER: APPLIED ENERGY R& D INNOVATION

R1,800,000.00

HEAD: DSI ENERGY SECRETARIAT

R1,736,340.00

CORPORATE PLANNER

R1,105,226.28

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

R1,105,226.28

COMPANY SECRETARY

R1,400,000.00

ICT MANAGER

R1,536,752.12

SDT EXECUTIVES

JOB TITLE

ANNUAL SALARY

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

R1,475,385.00

OPERATIONS MANAGER

R1,637,387.00

COMPANY SECTERARY

R1,184,813.00

(b) Chief executive officers and top executives do not get paid to attend meetings.

10 March 2023 - NW235

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 3945 on 5 January 2023, he will enforce rehabilitation as the dust pollution is affecting the quality of life of the residents; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date will the operation start and (b) what are the processes that the residents can expect from his department to address the heavy dust pollution in Koingnaas that has escalated due to drought and wind in the area; (2) (a) what are the details of the (i) date and (ii) outcomes and/or recommendations of the inspection of the slime dams in Koingnaas, (b) who conducted the inspection and (c) on what date is it envisaged that another inspection will take place, since residents are suffering under the dust pollution?

Reply:

1. (a) Rehabilitation of the old De Beers slime dams had started; however the rehabilitation is currently on hold due to West Coast Resources being placed on provisional liquidation (and now on business rescue). A section/portion of the slime dams is covered with >40mm material, therefore the dust emanating from those slimes is no longer as extreme as it used to be.

(b) It is DMRE’s responsibility to ensure that mining of mineral resources is done in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner and that the health of communities are not compromised. The Department will conduct regular audit inspections at the WCR operation to ensure full compliance with the issued Environmental Authorisation and the approved EMPR.

2. (a) (i) The last site inspections were conducted on 02 August 2022 & 21 September 2021. (ii) DMRE together with the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform (DAERL) as the regulating authority for Air Emission Licenses (AEL) in the NC conducted an inspection at WCR on 02 August 2022. On the day of the inspection there was little to no activity on site, site visit was undertaken in the windiest month of the year and still little to no dust emissions were observed.

(b) Two officials from the Department were part of the team that conducted the last inspection.

(c) The next inspection will take place during the course of March 2023.

 

10 March 2023 - NW683

Profile picture: Msimang, Prof CT

Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, (a) following reports of concerns over the expiry of the South Africa and United States of America (USA) Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and that negotiations on a new agreement are ongoing and being expedited and (b) while the two parties are engaging on measures to ensure continuity of cooperation during the negotiations of the New Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, the USA National Regulatory Commission has informed Westinghouse that it has temporarily withdrawn their authorisation to supply Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant with nuclear fuel, he will furnish Prof C T Msimang with details and/or an update on the specified negotiations; if not, why not; if so, by what date?NW758

Reply:

It should be noted that since the Media Statement issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on the 02nd February 2023 about the expired 1995 Agreement on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between RSA and USA, significant progress has been made towards the completion of the New Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.

On 3rd February 2023, the US has informed the Department that regarding the export of fuel assembly components, the amended license was signed out by the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Tuesday January 31, 2023. Accordingly, the suspension is no longer in effect and Westinghouse is now authorized to export the subject components (The components in question are those that support Westinghouse’s manufacture of fuel assemblies in Sweden, after which the finished fuel assemblies will be shipped to South Africa for use at Koeberg).

During the recent round of negotiations on 14 and 15 February 2023 the two Parties (RSA and USA) made significant progress and committed to expedite the conclusion of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement to ensure mutual benefit for the two countries. This is in alignment with the successful trading partnerships which has been in existence for the past five decades between the two countries.

The two Parties have committed to continue with the negotiations until a new Nuclear Cooperation Agreement is concluded. As the Department we are very hopeful this process will be concluded in the near foreseeable future.

10 March 2023 - NW684

Profile picture: Msimang, Prof CT

Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

In light of the fact that electric geysers are usually the highest electricity consuming appliances in homes accounting for about 30% to 40% of electricity used, what are the full details of the (a) roll-out of solar geysers to date, (b) feedback on their effectiveness and (c)(i) plans and (ii) time frames of the roll-out of solar geysers going forward?

Reply:

a) What are the full details of the roll-out of solar geysers to date:

The DMRE procured 87 206 Solar Water Heaters (SWH) manufactured by local companies. These were meant to be installed in 19 Municipalities but 15 have remained on the programme. The participating municipalities have to provide beneficiary list for the allocated units. The beneficiaries are mainly indigen households or low income households who did not have geysers before. The Department together with CEF has installed 22 002 SWH in 15 municipalities.

b) What is the feedback on their effectiveness?

All units installed are functioning well. Noting that the installation is mainly on houses that did not have geysers before, the effectiveness in terms of electricity saved cannot be calculated as they were not on the grid before installation.

(c)(i) What are the Plans to install

The first bid to install was closed and service providers appointed. Installation under phase one of the installation has been completed in Mossel Bay, Bitou and nearly completed in Mahikeng. A total of 22 002 SWH have been installed.

The final bid to install the outstanding systems has been issued, closed, evaluated, adjudicated in January 2023 and the Department is in the process of appointing service providers to install on the last phase of the project. A total of 42 service providers has been approved.

(ii) Time frames of the roll-out of solar geysers going forward?

It is anticipated that the installation phase will be completed in 8 months noting that the

Department has approved more service providers now.

10 March 2023 - NW364

Profile picture: Engelbrecht, Mr J

Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1)What are the details of the (a) destination and (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel of each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Minister of his department since 1 June 2019; (2) what is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of his department since 1 June 2019

Reply:

1.

(aa) Minister

a) Destination

Date

(b)Total Costs

(bi) Accommodation

(bii)Travel Costs

1. United Kingdom

10 Feb 2020

R 110 320.80

R 25 239.80

R 85 081.00

2. Côte d’Ivoire

14 Dec 2020

R 71 662.88

R 5 536.88

R 66 126.00

3. Mozambique

24 Feb 2020

R 15 436.51

R 6 277.51

R 9 159.00

4. Nigeria

3 - 4 Dec 2020

R 60 175.38

R 3 798.38

R 56 377.00

5. Botswana

25 May 2022

R 23 231.03

R 16 751.03

R 6 480.00

6. Zimbabwe

27 May 2022

R 15 999.14

R 3 639.14

R 12 360.00

7. Indonesia

2 Sept 2022

R 26 388.90

R 16 080.90

R 10 308.00

8. South Sudan

8 Sept 2022

R 56 836.03

R 45 023.93

R 11 812.10

(bb) Deputy Minister

(a)Destination

Date

(b)Total Costs

(bi)Accommodation

(bii)Travel Costs

1. France

  1. March 2022

R 160 856.00

R 50 117.00

R 110 739.00

2. Belgium

18 June 2022

R 12 409.58

R 12 409.58

Sponsored trip

3. Australia

31 August 2022

R 103 080.00

R 39 220.34

R 142 300.34

4. Austria

26 Sept 2022

R 138 683.30

R 48 682.30

R 90 001.00

2.

Year

Minister

Deputy minister

2020

R 7 123.00

R0

2021

R 227 551.00

R 57 982.00

2022

R 236 768.00

R 257 421.00

2023

R 60 600.23

R 45 611.66

Total cost

R 532 042.23

R 361 014.66

10 March 2023 - NW67

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Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) What are the reasons that his department is refusing to grant a diesel wholesale licence to Eskom; (2) in light of the fact that having storage infrastructure is not a requirement for a diesel wholesale licence and that a number of wholesalers do not meet such a requirement, has he found that it is reasonable to expect Eskom to comply with the specified requirement; (3) whether, given that Eskom is in a crisis, and that the purchase of diesel is critical to mitigating the effects of load shedding, he and/or his department will fast-track the licence application by Eskom and assist them to obtain such a licence; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. Eskom’s business case clearly demonstrated that they are not intending to be in the business of wholesale Petroleum Products. Purchasing diesel for own use does not require a Wholesale Licence.
  2. As indicated above, Eskom is not in the business of wholesaling as envisaged in the law.
  3. There is no impediment to the purchasing of diesel by Eskom as there are a number of experienced oil companies in the South Africa that are capable of supplying fuel to any customer at competitive prices as was envisaged by Legislation.

01 March 2023 - NW496

Profile picture: Msimang, Prof CT

Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, in light of the heavy rains in the east of Mpumalanga and the Vaal that left coal stockpiles temporarily unusable and resulted in the increase of partial load losses, his department has any plans in place to mitigate the impact of rain on coal; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons that the plans have not been implemented effectively enough to mitigate the predictable problem of the effect of heavy rains on coal stockpiles during the crisis we are facing?

Reply:

This question should be referred to the Minister of Public Enterprises as he provides oversight over Eskom’s operations.

01 March 2023 - NW188

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Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, in view of the energy crisis currently facing our country which requires competent and knowledgeable employees at all levels of Eskom, he will furnish Mr N Sigh with an audit of the qualifications of all employees presently working at Eskom to ensure that they hold the vocational capacity to adequately serve the Republic and Eskom at this time of the energy crisis; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Enterprises is better placed to respond to this question as it provides oversight over Eskom’s governance matters including its employment records.

01 March 2023 - NW213

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Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

With reference to the announcement by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, in 2022 that the Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) bid procurement window 6 would double the capacity it sought to procure from 2.6 GW to 5.2 GW, what (a) are the reasons that the bid window period was only three weeks long, post announcement, while requiring heavy documentation and registration for any potential bidder which resulted in only a fraction of the 5.2 GW capacity being procured, (b) was the most common shortcoming and/or failure on the bidders part to result in more than 60% being rejected, (c) changes are to be implemented in the bid procurement process with the intention of meeting the President’s commitment of 5.2 GW and (d) measures are currently taking place in the Northern Cape to tackle capacity constraints despite it being the best suited province for renewable expansion?

Reply:

a)  In essence the RFP was already in the market, the adjustment was only to give effect to the President’s announcement which increase capacity from 2600MW to 4200MW in order to deal with loadshedding. The requirements were never changed. The bid could only secure 1000MW because of bid constrains .in the transmission bid which affected mainly the wind projects.

b) It should be noted that 56 bids were received and only 3 bids failed to meet the requirements of the RFP whilst the remaining 53 met the requirements and they were eligible for appointment as Preferred Bidders subject to competition outcomes and grid availability in the area where they are connecting. Majority of the projects were located in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape where there was no grid as confirmed by Eskom.

c) There were no changes to the procurement process except the increase from 2600MW to 4200MW.

d) Eskom developed a plan for the construction of the required grid around the constrained areas including the Northern Cape. It is our understanding that the plan is being implemented but it will take time to build the required network.

01 March 2023 - NW234

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, noting that no broker’s notes have been issued to contractors since September 2022, he will furnish Mrs V van Dyk with the valuations for the diamond productions of the past six months, with regard to the takeover of the management contract from Kernel Resources Proprietary Limited, owned by Mr Christopher and Mrs Nathiera Kimber, related to West Coast Resources that is in business rescue at Koingnaas, wherein Government also apparently holds a 20% stake?

Reply:

The broker’s notes are only issued to licensees and not contractors, and such evidence is available in the SADPMR offices. West Coast was a holder of diamond Dealer license from 15/07/2015, which licence expired on 14/07/2020. In 2015 West Coast Resources purchased broker’s notes from the SADPMR. The Diamond Valuator of the SADPMR never conducted any diamond valuations for West Coast Resources, and furthermore, the Diamond Exchange and Export Centre (DEEC) never received any diamond/s from West Coast Resources nor facilitated trade on their behalf. The SADPMR has no information on Kernel Resources. The SADPMR also does not have knowledge of any business rescue related to West Coast Resources nor the purported 20% Government Shareholdings as both companies are not holders of any licence issued by the SADPMR.

24 February 2023 - NW306

Profile picture: Msimang, Prof CT

Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1)Considering the context of the energy crisis in the Republic, what are the reasons that the Government remains committed to contracts that lock the Republic into providing electricity to (a) Botswana, (b) Namibia and (c) Mozambique; (2) what are the relevant details of the terms of the specified contracts; (3) whether, due to the impossibility of performance, there is the potential of reselling from the specified commitments due to the supervening impossibility of performance; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The contract between Eskom and Entities in Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique are commercial arrangements as part of regional trading. Details on the contracts can be best addressed by Eskom.