Questions and Replies

Reply:

a) As part of government’s response to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary fuel cell system was deployed at 1 Military Hospital in Gauteng, which is utilised to support the Department of Defence. There is also one installed at the Science Center in Comimvaba (Eastern Cape).

b) The Seven Hydrogen Fuel Cells temporarily deployed at 1 Military Hospital has a total installed capacity of 35kW. The fuel cells deployed at a Science Centre in the Eastern Cape has a capacity of 5kW.

c) Post July 2021, the fuel systems currently at 1 Military Hospital will be redeployed as follows:

1. One fuel cell system will remain at 1 Military Hospital for use by the Department of Defence (DOD) for training purposes;
2. One fuel cell system at Mandeni Local Municipality, ILembe District in KZN, with a connection to the Youth Centre and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) Stalls;
3. One fuel cell system at MINTEK with a connection to the Home Affairs offices in Randburg;
4. One fuel cell system at Masia Village in Limpopo;
5. One fuel cell system at the Department of Science and Innovation;
6. One fuel cell system at the Trevenna Building, Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

There is also ongoing work to incorporate the deployment of fuel cells in public buildings through the existing policy instruments, which include Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) grant programme and the Public Works and Infrastructure Green Building Policy.

Reply:

(1)(a)(i) The Department‘s records reveal that no mining permit or mining right has ever been issued over an area that constitutes a proclaimed heritage site. The records however shows that only one prospecting right was erroneously issued within the core of the Mapungubwe World Heritage site, but there is no evidence of any activities having been undertaken.

(ii)The Department‘s records reveal that no mining permit or mining right has ever been issued over an area that constitutes a proclaimed heritage site. The records however shows that only one prospecting right was erroneously issued within the core of the Mapungubwe World Heritage site, but there is no evidence of any activities having been undertaken.

(b)The Department‘s records reveal that no mining permit or mining right has ever been issued over an area that constitutes a proclaimed heritage site. The records however shows that only one prospecting right was erroneously issued within the core of the Mapungubwe World Heritage site, but there is no evidence of any activities having been undertaken.

(c)The Department‘s records reveal that no mining permit or mining right has ever been issued over an area that constitutes a proclaimed heritage site. The records however shows that only one prospecting right was erroneously issued within the core of the Mapungubwe World Heritage site, but there is no evidence of any activities having been undertaken.

(2)As indicated above, other than the prospecting permit that was issued erroneously, no mining permits were issued within a heritage site.

(3)As there were no permits within the heritage sites, there are no studies for mining within heritage sites.

 

Reply:

(a) (i) 55.23% women,

(ii) 20.11% youth,

(iii) 0.94% persons with disabilities,

(b) The Department has made the following provisions to ensure employment equity, especially of persons with disabilities:

• Employed a dedicated focal point responsible for Gender, Disability Transformation and one for Youth,
• In the process of appointing the Employment Equity Committee for the newly established Department of Mineral Resources and Energy,
• In the process of appointing an Employment Equity Manager for the Department
• Responsibility for EE will be incorporated in the Performance Agreements of Branch Heads,
• Drafted an EE Policy and Plan.

(c) The name of each entity reporting to the Minister who has not complied with the provisions of employment equity with regard to the employment of persons with disabilities:

Entity	(a)(i)	(a)(ii)	(a)(iii)	(b)	(c)
CGS	214	153	7	N/A	N/A
MINTEK	268	228	12	N/A	N/A
MHSC	40%	21%	2%	N/A	N/A
NERSA	57%	26%	1.3%	N/A	N/A
NNR	50%	18.3%	2.7%	N/A	N/A
NRWDI	62.5%	21.9%	6.25%	N/A	N/A
SDT	10	7	3	N/A	N/A
SANEDI	23	11	0	N/A	SANEDI currently has no employees who are persons of disabilities
SADPMR	68	20	1 male	N/A	N/A

CEF Group and its subsidiaries

Entity	(a)(i) % of Women	(a)(ii) % of youth	(a)(iii) % of People living with Disabilities	(b) Provisions or strategy per entity to ensure employment equity, especially of persons with disabilities is achieved
PetroSA	30%	19%	1.7%	The business continues to look at the optimisation of resources with minimal recruitment processes until the implementation of the new Corporate Plan and business model. When the organisation does have opportunities for movement in the future, the placement of women and people with disabilities will be given priority in filling afore-mentioned positions.
AEMFC	26%	55%	0.22%	AEMFC is setting targets for the achievement of its targets for people living with disabilities and women. This will be in the updated EE plan for 2021
PASA	31%	27%	2%	EE Committee monitoring quarterly barriers to ensure representation
SFF	31.2%	28%	Current exercise underway internally to establish number of persons with disability	Employment Equity Terms of Reference currently being reviewed and new committee will be established in 2021.   2020/2021 Strategy includes an assessment of persons with disability internally and recruitment with persons with disability.   SFF advised that they are working with the university to bring in youth with disability.
CEF SOC	45%	40%	2%	Women representation has improved and exceeded the 30% target. Similarly, youth target of 30% has also been exceeded.
CEF Group	31%	28%	1%	The Group gender representation is 69% male vs 31% female. The gender representation at Group Top Management has increased from 25% Female representation in Q1 to 33.3% in Q2 2020/21. Youth representation is below 30% target while the organisation has regressed in terms of representation of people living with disabilities

 

Necsa and its subsidiaries

Necsa

(a) (i) Proportion of person employed by the institution who are women is 673, which represent 37.7%

(ii) Persons who are youth, herewith defined as employees who are not older than 35 years of age - 461

(iii) Persons with the disabilities – 25

NTP

(a) What proportion of persons employed by NTP fall under the category of:

(i) Women: 41%

(ii) Youth: 32%

(iii) Persons with disabilities: 0.26%

Pelchem

(a) What proportion of persons employed by NTP fall under the category of:

(i) Women: 30

(ii) Youth: 0; permitted 10 students

(iii) Persons with disabilities: 1

 

Reply:

a) It is government policy to provide free basic electricity to the indigent through licensed electricity distributors (Eskom and Municipalities). The free basic electricity provision is independent of the source of generation of the electricity (Eskom or IPPs).

b) See response to (a.) above.

c) See response to (a.) above.

 

Reply:

1.

a) An independent technical audit of Ekurhuleni was done in January 2006. Another audit was done in 2020 but the focus was on the business assessment.

b) The report on the independent technical audit was submitted in the same year in May 2006. Due to COVID induced travel restrictions that was in place when the business assessment was done, the site inspection on the audit conducted in 2020 will be done in early 2021.The draft report of the business assessment will be sent to the Licensee by the end of November 2020.

c) It was recommended that:

1. There must be investment in the maintenance and the refurbishment of the networks and on skilled staff.
2. The Department must operate as an integrated entity.
3. The maintenance and refurbishment plans must also be integrated.

d) According to our knowledge, there were 45 intake points in 2005/6 and there are now 55 intake points.

Increased Infrastructure

The Department of Energy has since 2006 increased its infrastructure in the various Depots in Ekurhuleni as follows:-

Electrification of Subsidized Households	High Mast Lights	Street Lights	Substations
92 161	977	15 458	Upgrading/Construction of 13 Substations

The 92 161 additional connections excludes town planning development connections for non-subsidized households, which also forms part of the electricity grid and infrastructure to be maintained by the Department.

2. NERSA requests all audited licensees to develop Corrective Action Plans so that this can be monitored. The same will happen with Ekurhuleni Metro when the site inspection has been done and a final report has been shared with the Licensee. One of the objectives of the NERSA audits is to encourage licensees to do self-monitoring so that the networks do not deteriorate.

Reply:

1. The Department does not have specific date at which the refinery is scheduled to start operating, what was shared with the Department from Astron Energy is that the assessments of the incident arestill ongoing and there is no firm date of when the refinery would come back to be operational.
2. Safety and environmental inspectionsand/or audit do not fall within the ambit of the Department of Mineral, Resources and Energy.

Reply:

1. The Department of Mineral, Resources and Energy does not conduct any environmental audits, as these fall under different departments.

2. The refinery is not operational at the moment, however in terms of the Petroleum Products Act, the refinery was compliant prior to the incident.

Reply:

1. Saldanha Terminal

(1)     For each storage facility owned, leased and/or operated by the Strategic Fuel Fund, (a) on what date was the last (i) maintenance and (ii) refurbishment undertaken on the storage tanks and (b) what was the cost of such maintenance and/or refurbishment in each case;

• Saldanha Terminal is made of Concrete Underground Closed tanks which do not require maintenance or refurbishments on the Saldanha tanks. There are however scheduled inspections to test the tanks structure and roof supports. In all inspections done to date there were NO abnormalities that were detected. This include the tank settlement test that was done in 2016, where no discernible changes since commissioning were observed.

(2) (a) on what date was each specified facility last audited for environmental compliance and (b) what were the findings of the last environmental audit in each case;

(a) The last full recertification Audit was conducted by SABS on ISO14001 2015 on the 10TH to the 13TH March 2020

(b) One “minor” finding was issued and cleared by SFF Saldanha and we have thus been recertified under the new ISO 140001 2015 StandardCertificate}.

(3)   whether there are any indications of seepage into the ground and/or the groundwater table; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are

the relevant details of the seepage?

A “Ground water sampling” exercise is done bi-annually and the last one was done in May 2019 and there is no seepage detected to date.

​​2. ​Milnerton Terminal

1. For each storage facility owned, leased and/or operated by the Strategic Fuel Fund;

a) on what date was the last Maintenance:

(i) Maintenance of the SFF Milnerton tank farm is an on-going exercise based on a schedule created as per the operating and manufacturers specification of a particular equipment. These schedules are distributed from the Maintenance planner’s office to the relevant staff (electrical or mechanical). Another form of maintenance is “adhoc” as and when a breakdown occurs it is attended to.

(ii) 1999 - 2002

• During this period 11 tanks were refurbished.

​b) For each storage facility owned, leased and/or operated by the Strategic Fuel Fund, what was the cost of such maintenance and/or refurbishment in each case:

• SFF paid market related costs as obtained following its approved tender process.

2. On what date was each specified facility last audited for environmental compliance:

a) An “Environmental Legal Compliance Audit” is conducted bi-annually and the last audit was done in June 2019.

b) The results of these audit was 2 minor findings that were closed-off and terminal received certification.

3. Whether there are any indications of seepage into the ground and/or the groundwater table; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the seepage?

• A “Ground water sampling” exercise is done bi-annually and the last one was done in December 2019 and there is no seepage detected to date,

 

Reply:

1. Yes, the NRS 047 and the relevant NRS 048 specifications are attached.

2. In terms of the license condition 5.4.1 the Energy Regulator is entitled to collect information such as the maintenance plans of the licensee, the process of collecting and examining such information is always undertaken during the annual compliance audits that the Regulator conducts on selected licensees each year. The City of Ekurhulenihad not been audited before, and had therefore not submitted its maintenance plants. It is however on the list of the licensees to be audited during this financial year.

3. According to license condition 5.3.2, the licensee is required to always prepare the maintenance plans annually and adhere to this, however it is not the requirement for the licensee to submit the report to the regulator annually. The maintenance plans are scrutinised when the licensee is selected for a compliance audit.

Reply:

Before a mining right is granted, a thorough consultation with interested and affected parties including other government department is conducted. In a situation where there are communities, and are to be relocated, a consultation process/Public participation should be undertaken by the mine or by an applicant for a mining right.

An all-inclusive method(s) should be utilised to ensure that community groups can take part in the consultation process in a fair and transparent manner.

 

Reply:

a) The requirements as it relates to borrow pits are not informed by the nature of ownership of the land over which they are to be undertaken, but the distinction revolves around the entity that intends to undertake such borrow pit activities. The distinction is in the following manner.;If a natural person or an entity that intends to undertake the borrow pit activities does not form part of those that are not exempted in terms of Section 106 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act 28 of 2002), they will be required to lodge an application for either a mining permit(Where the area does not exceed 5 hectares and the period of activities may not be longer than the period for which a mining permit can be valid for) or a Mining right (Where the area exceeds 5 hectares and the activities may take longer than the period provided for mining permit). It is important to highlight that the applications for either mining permit or mining right are to be lodged simultaneously with the application for Environmental Authorization in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998).

In case of entities, that are exempted from applying for either a mining permit or a mining right in terms of Section 106 of the MPRDA, they were previously only required to submit the application for an environmental authorization, however following the delisting of this activity from the listing notices, they are currently under no obligation to submit such unless if any of the activities to be undertaking over and above the mining of material may fall under the listing notices.

b) As indicated above, the requirements are not informed by the nature of land ownership. Whether it’s Private or State-owned land, the requirements as outlined above would apply.

(c) The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is the authority responsible for ensuring compliance by the entities/persons that are undertaking borrow pits activities. It is however imperative to highlight that following the delisting of activities exempted in terms of Section 106 of the MPRDA IN 2017, the activities that are currently undertaken by the exempted State Owned Entities are excluded from this compliance monitoring, although the DMRE and the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries have now embarked on a process of effecting the amendments to overcome this gap. The draft documents are already in place and DEFF is in the process of finalizing the same to enable the DMRE to resume this responsibility of regulating the entities that are exempted from applying for either mining permits or mining rights.

d) The measures to ensure compliance are invoked as necessitated by the nature of non-compliance and differs from one case to the other. This may amongst others include, a Compliance Notice being issued in terms of Section 31L of NEMA with the instructions for corrective measures/steps to be effected. Failure to adhere to these administrative measures in terms of NEMA may also lead to Criminal measures being invoked.

In a case where the said borrow pit would have necessitated that the mining permit or mining right be issued (those that are not exempted in terms of Section 106 of the MPRDA), the said activity may also be suspended in terms of MPRDA. In severe cases of non-compliance, such a mining permit or mining right may be cancelled in terms of Section 47 of the MPRDA, after all the due administrative processes have been followed.

e) Firstly, if the nature of non-compliance warrants that the DMRE should take the appropriate steps as provided for in the legislation, such a family may bring the aspect to the Department’s attention, so that the measures as outlined above can be considered.

(2) With regard to the six children who have reportedly died in three borrow pits in the Moretele Local Municipality, North West, in the past few years, what (a) measures is his department taking to ensure that there is stricter compliance and enforcement and (b) support will his department provide to the families of the deceased children if the deaths were found to have been preventable and due to negligence and/or non-compliance?

Reply

1. The Department will conduct an investigation to establish the facts before responding comprehensively.

(b) It is imperative to be familiar with the actual circumstances in order to offer appropriate assistance.

 

Reply:

a)  (i) The temporary electricity distribution licence granted to City of Ekurhuleni is still valid as it has two extension letters of which the second extension letter, dated 8 May 2007, extents the licence until 36 months after the promulgation of the Licensing Regulation made under the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act. No 4 of 2006). Until the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy promulgates the Licensing Regulations, the temporary licences remain valid.

(ii)Refer to (i) above.

b) There are no legal implications for the City of Ekurhuleni operating with a temporary licence, as it was issued and extended by NERSA in line with section 4 (a) of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act. No 4 of 2006).

Reply:

1. In line with similar prognosis on supply and demand, the IRP2019 recognises that there is risk of load shedding in the next 18 to 24 months.

It is for this reason that as one of the 9 (nine) decisions in the IRP2019 we committed to the following:

Decision 1:Undertake a power purchase programme to assist with the acquisition of capacity needed to supplement Eskom’s declining plant performance and to reduce the extensive utilisation of diesel peaking generators in the immediate to medium term. Lead-time is therefore key.

Decision 2: Koeberg power plant design life must be extended by another 20 years by undertaking the necessary technical and regulatory work.

Decision 3: Support Eskom to comply with MES over time, taking into account the energy security imperative and the risk of adverse economic impact.

We in addition to these decisions made provision for distributed generation by allowing electrify consumers to generate their own electricity. We have in this regard taken following steps:

• • The department has enabled generation for own use by removing the licensing requirements for certain category of generation facilities under one megawatt (1 MW). 139 requests for registration have been processed by NERSA to date with capacity of 59. This capacity excludes installations under 1MW that register direct with local municipalities.
  • The department has also eased the licensing of generation for own use above 1 MW which is mainly to supplement power supply to commercial and industrial customers including the mines. The IRP 2019 now makes provision for distributed generation for own use above 1MW, which takes away the need for a Ministerial approval for deviation from the IRP before NERSA can process a generation license application. 5 Licences have been issued to date. The Department has invited applicants experiencing challenges to engage DDG responsible for Programmes and Projects.

2. These initiatives have already beenpublicly pronounced.

 

Reply:

The Minister makes annual declarations to Parliament through the Parliamentary Ethics Committee. The Member can, if she is interested, make a request of the Ministers Declaration of Financial Interests from the Committee.

 

Reply:

The Minister makes annual declaration of Financial Interest to Parliament through Parliamentary Ethics Committee. The Member can, if she is interested, make a request to access such declaration from the Committee.

Reply:

(1)(a)

(i) The total number of households electrified over the past five financial years is 1,266,240.

(ii) Provincial breakdown of number of indigent households electrified in last 5 years:

(b) The Mixed Developer Policy Guideline was introduced in October 2018. Before this date, all applications received by the Department on mixed developer projects were treated as normal Bulk and Households applications. Funding for infrastructure under the mixed development category is provided for on a pro-rata basis based on the percentange consumption of indegent customers within the development. If the percentage power consumption of indegent customers within the development is 70% and above, the bulk infrastructure qualifies for fullfunding through the INEP Grant.

All indigent customers qualify for free basic electricity as per the Free Basic Electricity policy.

(2)

(a) A total of 214 517 households were electrified in the past financial and these households have electricity meters installed.

(b) No outstanding meter installations have been reported by our electrification programme implementing agents (Eskom and Municipalities).

Reply:

(a) No Regional Offices of DMRE are still closed under Level 2.

All sixteen (16) Regional Offices of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy are operating during lock down level 2. However, these offices are operating at the capacity of 30% to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Reply:

List of application for Prospecting Rightlodged in Limpopo for the past two years

DATE LODGED	COMPANY	MINERAL
16 Feb 2018	KADOSH MINING PTY LTD	COPPER,DIAMOND (GENERAL),DIAMOND,DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL),GEMSTONE EXCEPT DIAMONDS,GOLD,PHOSPHATE,PGM
01 March 2018	DE BEERS CONDOLIDATED MINES PTY LTD	DIAMOND (INKIMBERLITE)
14 Nov 2018	RAZORBILL PROPERTIES 12 (PTY0 LTD	DIAMOND,DIAMOND(GENERAL),DIAMOND (KIMBERLITE)
14 Nov 2018	RAZORBILL PROPERTIES 12 (PTY0 LTD	DIAMOND,DIAMOND(GENERAL), DIAMOND(KIMBERLITE)
27 Nov 2018	BOLDMAN MINING ENTERPRISE (PTY) LTD	COAL,COPPER,DIAMOND,MAGNESITE,URANIUM
15 March 2019	GABBINS HOLDINGS PTY	DIAMOND (GENERAL),DIAMOND,DIAMOND (INKIMBERLITE),DIAMOND ALLUVIAL),GOLD,PGM,SILVER
09 April 2019	KDB MINING PTY LTD	DIAMOND (GENERAL)
15 April 2019	WIZA MINING PTY LTD	Chrome,andalusite,diamondgeneral,iron,manganese,pgm
15 April 2019	BASADZI PELE MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AND PROJECTS	Chrome,andalusite,diamondgeneral,iron,manganese,pgm
27 May 2019	ANGLO EXPLORATION HOLDINGS PTY LTD	CHROME,COPPER,DIAMOND(GENERAL),GOLD,IRON,LIMESTONE,MAGNESITE,MANGANESE,SILVER,TIN,ZINC
03 June 2019	VHARANANI MINING PTY LTD	DIAMOND, GOLD
22 Aug 2019	NKUZI YA MANANGA GROUP PTY LTD	GEMSTONES EXCEPT DIAMONDS, GOLD ORE, TUNGSTEN ORE, ZINC ORE
21 Oct 2019	YUGASET PTY LTD	DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL)
22 Oct 2019	Atok Mining House Pty Ltd Limpopo	COPPER ORE , DOLOMITE, GEMSTONES EXCEPT DIAMONDS, SILICA SAND (GENERAL)
10 Dec 2019	ANOITED MINING (PTY) LTD	CHROME,COPPER,DIAMOND (GENERAL),DIAMOND,DIENSION STONE, GOLD,IRON,MAGNESITE,MANGANESE,METALLURGICAL,NICKEL,PGM,SILICA SAND (GENERAL),SILICA SAND (SILICA) SILICON,SILVER
17 Dec 2019	BARWA BA PHALADI MINING AND PROJECTS CC	DIAMOND,DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL),DIAMOND(KIMBERLITE),GRAPHITE,MAGNESITE
17 Dec 2019	ON REEF INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD	DIAMOND,DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL),DIAMOND(KIMBERLITE),GRAPHITE,MAGNESITE
25 Feb 2020	BOO WANDO HOLDINGS	AGGREGATE,CHRONME,COBALT,COPPER,DIAMON (GENERAL),DIAMOND,DIAMOND (KIMBERLITE),GOLD,GRAVEL,IRON,NICKEL,PGM,RARE EARTHS,SILVER,SULPHUR(IN PYRITE)
27 Feb 2020	SAMIN GROUP (PTY) LTD	BRYTES,CHROME,COAL,COBALT,COPPER,DIAMOND (GENERAL),DIAMOND,DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL),DIAMOND (KIMBERLITE,GOLD,GRAPHITE,IRON,NICKEL
27 Feb2020	SAMIN GROUP (PTY) LTD	BRYTES,CHROME,COAL,COBALT,COPPER,DIAMOND (GENERAL),DIAMOND,DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL),DIAMOND (KIMBERLITE,GOLD,GRAPHITE,IRON,NICKEL
04 Mar 2020	MIHLOTI MINING (PTY) LTD	DIAMOND, DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL), DIAMOND (IN KIMBERLITE)
27 Mar 2020	TSHIKUNDA MINING (PTY) LTD	NICKEL,LEAD,IRON,GRAPHITE,GOLD,GARNET(GEMSTONE),GARNET(ABBASIVE),DIAMOND (KIMBERLIET), DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL), DIAMOND, DIAMOND (GENERAL),COPPER,CORUNDUM, COBALT,BRYTES
24 April 2020	MAFURI MINING CONSTRUCTION (MPUMALANGA) PTY LTD	COPPER, GEMSTONES EXCEPT DIAMONDS, GOLD, Phosphate, URANIUM, VERMICULITE
09 July 2020	MBOKOTO MIINING GROUP (PTY) LTD:	BRYTES, COBALT, COPPER ORE, CORUNDUM, DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL), DIAMOND (IN KIMBERLITE), GARNET (ABRASIVE) ,GARNET (GEMSTONE) ,GOLD ORE ,IRON ORE, LEAD, NICKEL ORE
10 July 2020	MAKANYAGO GENERAL BUSSINESS ENETERPRISE	DIAMON (GENERAL) DIAMOND DIAMOND (ALLUVIAL) DIAMOND (IN KIMBERLITE)
17 July 2020	MAMPURU RED GRANITE INVESTMENTS	COBALT, COPPER ORE, DIAMON (GENERAL), DIAMOND, DIAMOND (IN KIMBERLITE), GOLD ORE, IRON ORE, MANGANESE ORE, NICKEL ORE QUARTZ (GEMSTONE), SILCRETE (SILICA), SILICA SAND (GENERAL) URANIUM ORE, VANADIUM ORE, VERMICULITE, ZINC ORE
29 July 2020	MARALE COMPANY PTY LTD	AGGREGATE, COAL, DIAMOND, PSEUDOCOAL, TORBANITE/OIL SHALE

 

Reply:

1. Answer:The GPS co-ordinates, MHSC has experienced various delays in the finalisation of the projects especially on the approval of site location after the City of Joburg change in position on their original approval of site location for the projects. The details will be provided at the later stage the location of new MHSC offices is confirmed.

2. Answer: (a) Initial total project amount is confirmed to be R4 800 000,00 inclusive of value added Tax.

(b) Total amount paid to the service provider is R4 457 741.14 on original project plan. This excludes the additional costs incurred for additional technical R 191 291.32 for more technical work and storage costs.R 104 291.32 was spent onNew Site Additional Costs (Drawings, Design & Artworks) for Johannesburg Land Company application requirements R 87 000.32 Storage Costs as Result of Delays in Installation of the Monument. Therefore the total amount paid to date on the project is R 4 649 032,46.

Reply:

(1) Two prospecting rights were issued

(b) There is no specified timeframe with regard to issuing of rights.

(2) Please see (1)(b) above

(3) No mining rights were issued since 01 April 2020

(4) Please see (3) above

DDG: MR

Date:

Recommended / Not Recommended

Advocate TS Mokoena

Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

………………/………………/2020

Approved/Not Approved

Mr SG Mantashe

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2020

Reply:

 

1. See Conditions of Licence: Section 5 (5.1 – 5.4) as reproduced below.

2. Distribution Licence attached as Annexure “A”.

CONDITIONS OF LICENCE

The licensee shall be bound by the following conditions to this licence:

5.1. LEGAL CONDITIONS

5.1.1 The licensee shall supply electricity within the area of supply mentioned in schedule I below to every applicant who is in a position to make satisfactory arrangements for payment thereof.

5.1.2 The licensee shall not reduce or discontinue the supply of electricity to a consumer unless -

(i) the consumer is insolvent; or

(ii) the consumer has failed to pay the agreed charges or to comply with the conditions of supply and has failed to remedy the default within 14 days after receiving from the licensee a written notice by post calling upon him to do so.

5.1.3 Where the licensee is undertaking an electrification programme which has been approved based on a one year fixed and three year rolling programme in terms of the Integrated National Electrification Programme, the licensee's programme shall set out the approximate dates on which potential consumers will receive their electricity supply, the licensee shall supply electricity to such potential consumers in accordance with the approved electrification plan.

5.1.4 The National Electricity Regulator shall be entitled to settle disputes between the licensee and another supplier, or between the licensee and its consumers or prospective consumers regarding -

i. the right to supply;

ii. the quality of such supply and the provision of services in connection therewith;

iii. the condition on and prices at which electricity is supplied;

iv. the installation and functioning of meters;

v. the suitability of the equipment of the licensee;

vi. delays in or refusal to supply by the licensee;

vii. any other matter in respect of which the licensee or its consumers requests the National Electricity Regulator to act as mediator.

5.1.5 Any decision of the regulator on a dispute as contemplated in 5.1.4 above is binding on the parties to the dispute.

5.1.6. This licence is not transferable without the approval of the National Electricity

Regulator.

5.2. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

5.2.1 The licensee shall maintain separate electricity distribution business affairs from the licensee's other affairs so that the revenues; cost; assets; liabilities; reserves and provisions for the electricity business are separately identifiable in the books of the licensee from those of any other business.

5.2.2 The licensee shall prepare on a consistent basis from such accounting records in respect of the financial year of the licensee, and each subsequent financial year, accounting statements comprising -

i. an income statement;

ii. a balance sheet.

together with notes thereto, and in appropriate detail the amounts of any revenue, cost, asset, liability, reserve or provision which has been charged from or to any other business together with a description thereof.

5.2.3. The licensee shall annually submit audited copies of such accounting statements to the National Electricity Regulator within 180 days of the end of the licensee’s financial year. This shall include an asset register, purchase value and current value.

5.2.4. The National Electricity Regulator shall determine the prices at which the licensee shall supply electricity to its consumers.

5.2.5. The licensee is not permitted to charge any consumers with other tariffs than those specified in the schedule of approved tariffs set out in schedule 2 hereto, as revised from time to time, without the approval of the National Electricity Regulator.

5.2.6. The licensee shall pay the bulk supplier from whom it purchases its electricity.

5.2.7. Ensure that monies allocated for statutory National Electricity Regulator purposes in the licensees’ budget are utilised for such purposes.

5.2.8. Ensure that electricity tariffs increases are promulgated through appropriate media.

5.3 TECHNICAL CONDITIONS

5.3.1 The licensee shall supply electricity to its consumers in compliance with quality standards/criteria as the National Electricity Regulator may from time to time prescribe. Currently such applicable standards are, NRS 048 and NRS 047.

5.3.2 Prepare and adhere to plans, which protect customers and ensure the effectiveness of the industry such as:

i. Maintenance Schedules;

ii. Standards of Service (NRS 047) and Quality (NRS 048);

iii. enquiries and complaints management;

iv. licence compliance management;

v. consumer/public and staff safety/education; and

vi. system losses reduction.

5.3.3 Explore demand management strategies before augmentingor expanding a distribution system.

5.3.4 Ensure that metering, billing and revenue collection are effective, efficient and accurate.

5.4 GENERAL CONDITIONS

5.4.1 The National Electricity Regulator shall be entitled to collect such information from the licensee or its consumers as it deems necessary.

5.4.2. The licensee shall supply the NER on a quarterly basis with new electrification connections completed during the previous three months, starting in April of each year.

5.4.3. The National Electricity Regulator, or any person authorised by it in writing, may enter upon premises of the licensee and inspect any plant, machinery, books, accounts and other documents found there.

5.4.4. The National Electricity Regulator may call upon the licensee to furnish to it such periodical or other returns in such form as the National Electricity Regulator may from time to time prescribe, and such particulars in respect of the undertaking as the National Electricity Regulator may from time to time demand.

END

Reply:

 

1. The Department have developed a Free Basic Electricity (FBE) Policy which aims to protect the indigents by provision of lifeline tariff to indigent households as part of government initiative of poverty alleviation. The amount of free basic electricity provided is deemed sufficient to provide basic lighting, basic media access, cooking and basic water heating. The following measures are also available to protect the poor:

• The Department isfacilitating access to electricity through government subsidised Integrated National Electrification Program (INEP) that is improving the quality of life of all citizens through electricity infrastructure and provision of FBE to indigents;
• Free connections provided to Eskom’s low consumption residential customers;
• Lower price increases applied to low consumption domestic customers; and
• Inclining block tariffs (IBT) prescribed in the Electricity Pricing Policy and being implemented by municipalities.

2. Installation and maintenance of electricity prepaid meters is provided by the utility or distribution licence holder.

3. The Free Basic Electricity Policy provide for targeting of indigents or targeted customers by giving them limited free basic electricity. Municipalities develop indigent register or use targeting criteria as prescribed by the Free Basic Electricity. The proposed level of service is for a grid based system for qualifying domestic customers.Terms of use and distribution are different in every Municipality;however, municipalities restrict FBE to a minimum of 50kwh per household per month as prescribed by the policy homes while other Municipalities uses 20 Amps meters as the qualification criteria for Free Basic Electricity.

Reply:

 

1. Government does not have intentions or policy to sell Eskom, however, several interventions to date have been undertaken to restore Eskom Balance Sheet, recovery losses and deal with inefficiencies. Establishing a new company will require a review of the current existing legislation, the government and Eskom have focused on seeing through the turnaround strategy of Eskom to see its full implementation. Also, plans are ongoing on the two new build power stations to be fast tracked for the completion and commission. The Government has also allowed for small scale embedded generators to be installed, allowed for procurement of new generation capability under the IPP program. The current Eskom financial burden and the Covid 19 pandemic might delay the recovery. Municipalities will also be allowed to do their own procurement. This is to help with electricity interruptions as the government commitment in ensuring electric supply. The approved IRP acknowledges the need for new additional capability which will be needed and which type of technology.

2. Eskom as a generator can participate in new generation bidwindows to address some of their inefficiencies. In terms of capacity needed going forward,Government has opened the door for Private participants, that include Eskom and private sector is part of the program. Government will continue to look at existing legislation in order to enable Eskom and other stakeholder’s advances in a manner that benefits Eskom, customers and investors.

 

Reply:

a)  After consultation with Nersa the following information, relating to the prepaid charge on prepaid electricity was provided:

1.1 Domestic Tariffs

• 1. Domestic Standard Supply Single & Three Phase: Conventional & Prepaid

Tariff blocks	c/kWh
Block 1 (0-100 kWh)	170.28
Block 2 (101 – 400 kWh)	199.28
Block 3 (401 – 650 kWh)	217.11
Block 4 (>650kWh)	234.06

 

1.2 Domestic Indigent: Conventional & Prepaid

Tariff blocks	c/kWh
Block 1 (0-100 kWh)	169.89
Block 2 (101 – 400 kWh)	195.43
Block 3 (401 – 650 kWh)	214.42
Block 4 (>650kWh)	228.79

 

1.3 Lifeline: Prepaid

Tariff blocks	c/kWh
Block 1 (0-100 kWh)	169.89
Block 2 (101 – 400 kWh)	195.43
Block 3 (401 – 650 kWh)	214.42
Block 4 (>650kWh)	228.79

1.4 Domestic Three Phase Demand Supply: Convention & Prepaid

Domestic Three Phase Demand Supply

• Basic charge: R644.89/month
• Energy charge:130.76c/kWh
• Demand charge: R120.29/kVA

2. Agriculture and Farm Land: Conventional & Prepaid

2.1 Agriculture Tariffs Conventional

• Energy charge: 211.21c/kWh

3. Non - Domestic Single - Phase: Prepaid

3.1 Single Phase: Prepaid (≤ 60A)

• Basic charge: R1 047.12/month
• Energy charge:181.19c/kWh

3.2 Single Phase: Prepaid (≥ 60A)

• Basic charge: R1 309.18/month
• Energy charge: 181.19c/kWh

b) The metro has indicated that it does not pay metering companies for the sale of electricity. However, resellers buy electricity in bulk and resell to their customers.

Reply:

1.  The Department has promulgated a Guideline for the Compilation of a Mandatory Code of Practice for the Mitigation and Management of Covid-19 Outbreak. For instance, the Guideline requires the employers to ensure that employees returning from areas which are regarded as hotspots of COVID-19 are quarantined for 14 days before they return to work. Also, there must be vigorous screening and testing at the mines as well as to ensure that hygiene practices and the provision of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) are maintained.

Further, the Department conducts inspections to ensure that effective measures are implemented on the mitigation and management of COVID-19 and issue instructions where necessary to ensure compliance with the legal provisions.

2. The Guideline issued by the Department does not require for only screening to be done but for employees to also be tested. In fact, most of the cases reported by the sector were asymptomatic and were as a result of the DMRE requirement for testing to be done.

The mines are also required through the Guideline to work in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) when conducting contact tracing.

 

Chief Inspector Mines

Date:

Recommended / Not Recommended

Advocate T S Mokoena

Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

………………/………………/2020

Approved/Not Approved

Mr SG Mantashe, MP

Minister of Mineral Resource and Energy

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2020

Reply:

1. The department did not award tenders for Covid-19

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

1. The is no procurement facilitated through deviations for Covid-19

Not applicable

Not applicable

1. There were no tenders awarded

Reply:

1. The feel reserves at each of the refineries and depots are a function of the market share of each of the oil companies as well as company policy.
2. No domestic shortages are foreseen, Currently all the refineries are operational with the exception of the Milnerton Refinery which is on a planned maintenance shutdown. It is expected to be back online by the first week of July 2020.
3. Yes. Oil Companies have individual contracts with neighbouring countries such as Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Botswana, and they supply them accordingly

Reply:

(a) The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) as amended, allows any person (legal/natural) to apply for either mining rights, prospecting rights or mining permits. The department has a Small Scale Mining Section which is responsible to assisting those who are struggling financially to apply for permits or rights. Applications can be accepted and processed only where there is no existing applications or rights issued for the same mineral and land. Illegal activities that are taking place in Namaqualand are in respect of areas that are part of rights already issued to other entities. It is unfortunate that others resort to conducting illegal mining instead of approaching the Department for assistance.

(b) There was a process initiated by the department to engage the legal right holders before national lockdown to work on a plan to accommodate the illegal miners in the area. The department also advised the illegal miners to form Cooperatives so that they can be collectively assisted (where possible), and only on areas where no entity holds a right or permit. NW1493E

DDG: MR

Date:

Recommended / Not Recommended

Advocate TS Mokoena

Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

………………/………………/2020

Approved/Not Approved

Mr SG Mantashe

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2020

Reply:

a) The members in Ghunu Diamonds CC are Martins Bernardo Paolo Sergio who is a 50% member’s interest holder and Cloete Ghusain who is also a 50% member’s interest holder. All members are South African residence.

b) The corporation holds a prospecting rights with bulk sampling to prospect for diamonds.

c) The right was issued on the 10th September 2015 under reference number NC 30/5/1/1/2/10090 PR to prospect for Diamond (Alluvial) in respect of a Portion of the farm Brazil No 329, in extent of 4043.9282 hectares, situated within the administrative district of Namaqualand. The right was issued for a period of two years ending on the 9th September 2019. The corporation applied for a renewal under reference number NC 30/5/1/1/2/12024, which is now granted pending execution.

d) The rehab amount requested is R210 000.00 and is deemed adequate.

 

DDG: MR

Date:

Recommended / Not Recommended

Advocate TS Mokoena

Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

………………/………………/2020

Approved/Not Approved

Mr SG Mantashe

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2020

Reply:

(1) SFF has filed the papers and supplementary papers after the investigation. Report has been handed to the Law Enforcement Agency (Hawks) for further criminal investigation;

(2) At this stage the report cannot be shared with any member of the public as advised by the Law Enforcement Agency (Hawks);

(3) (a) Report is being reviewed internally for any evidence of misconduct and any recommendations will be implemented;

(b) As in (1) above the investigation is still with the Hawks;

(c) Report is being investigated by the Hawks and also internal review for any misconducts. Recommendations from the 2 investigations will be implemented;

NW877E

Reply:

1. Yes, the department will offer some form of relief/ assistance.

2. (a) The Covid 19 assistance will be allocated to qualifying businesses in line with the Small-Scale Mining Implementation Framework.

(b) All qualifying small scale mining companies will be assisted.

DDG: MPPP

Date:

Recommended / Not Recommended

Advocate T Mokoena

Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

………………/………………/2020

Approved/Not Approved

Mr SG Mantashe

Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2020

Reply:

(1) (a) 45 Tanks;

(b) 6 Tanks operational;

(c) (i) 45 Million barrels operational;

(ii) 7,8 Million barrels not operational;

(2) (a) 2 tanks;

(b) 15 Million barrels;

(3) (a) 4 tanks;

(b) 30 Million barrels;

Reply:

1.  Payments were made to (a) (b)  Central Lake 149 Trading / Empire Technology (Pty) Ltd, no payment were made to (c) Edson power group

• (i) R 22 800 000 (ii) 01/07/2016
• (i) R 23 940 000 (ii) 28/09/2017
• (i) R 51 642 000 (ii)  03/02/2017
• (i) R 12 500 000  (ii) 19/092019
• (i) R 51 568 000 (ii) 12/02/2019
• (i) R 4 275 000  (ii) 26/03/2020
• (i) R 4 275 000  (ii) 31/03/2020

 (iii)              Programme 5: Nuclear Energy

Responsibility    CD: Nuclear Safety & Technology

                   Objective:          Nuclear Safety & Technology

                  Item:                 CNS: BUS & ADV SER RESE & ADVISORY

2.         The Department does not know the role the certain individual played because the Department participated in terms of Treasury Regulations Section 16A6.6. on the contract which was secured by another organ of State, i.e. Provincial Treasury in Free State

3.         Please refer to response in under 2 above.

 4.         what are the relevant details of the process that was followed in the awarding of the contract;

• The Department participated in terms of Treasury Regulations Section 16A6.6. on the contract which was secured by another organ of State, i.e. Provincial Treasury in Free State

5.         whether the Auditor-General has made any findings with regard to the specified process that was followed in awarding the contract; if so, what were the findings? NW936E

• Yes -  The Auditor General raised an audit finding in the 2016/17 financial year

Reply:

2.. The single buyer model cannot be sustained, in respect of which Eskom is the sole aggregator and dispatcher of all the energy generated in the interconnected power system. This is due to Eskom’s poor balance sheet and its inability to carry the risks relating to long term power purchase agreements with other generators, without further encumbrance of the national revenue fund.

In the circumstances, it has become critical to find alternative models for the delivery of new generation capacity as required under the integrated resource plan. The entity that the Minister referred to at the Mining Indaba is aimed at complimenting the role that Eskom is unable to fulfil, in relation to new generation capacity. It is noteworthy that the entity could play the role of Buyer as well as developer of new power capacity, with or without private sector partners.

3. (a) (b)(c) work in regard to the structure has not been finalized and it would be premature to answer questions like mandate and timelines.

4. See (4) above

Reply:

1. The Department has consulted with organised labour and organised business regarding the possible impact of COVID-19 in the mining sector.

2. The Department has made inputs into the recent amendments of the Regulations of the Disaster Management Act (DMA), issued in terms of Section 27(2) of the same Act and published by the Minister of COGTA on the 17th April 2020. Please take particular note of the insertion of Regulation 11K which deals with Mining Operations.

2.1 Regulation 11K.(1) of DMA states:

Mining operations, as referred to in paragraph 22 of Part B of Annexure B, must be conducted at a reduced capacity of not more than 50% during the period of lockdown, and thereafter at increasing capacity as determined by direction issued by the Cabinet member responsible for mineral resources and energy.

2.2 Regulation 11K.(2) of DMA states:

The following conditions apply to the starting and increasing of capacity:

a) A rigorous screening and testing program must be implemented as employees return to work;

b) The mining industry must provide quarantine facilities for employees who have tested positive for the COVID-19;

c) Data collected during the screening and testing programme must be submitted to the relevant authority;

d) Mining companies must make arrangements to transport their South African employees from their homes to their respective areas of operations;

e) Workers from neighbouring Southern African Development Community countries must be recalled to their place of employment at the end of lockdown in their respective countries in accordance with these Regulations and regulations applicable in those countries.

2.3 Regulation 11K.(3) of DMA states:

The monitoring and impact assessment of seismicity through the Council for Geoscience must be intensified with immediate effect.

3. The Department through the Chief Inspector of Mines has also directed the South African Mining Industry (SAMI) to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the following communique issued to mining companies:

3.1 Guiding principles on prevention & management of COVID-19 in SAMI

3.2 Request for protocol on prevention & management of COVID-19 in SAMI

3.3 Safe start-up procedure of mines by employers and employees.

4. The Department has identified all Inspectors of Mines as essential service and were issued with Lockdown Permits to ensure that health and safety of mineworkers is not compromised even during this pandemic.

5. Inspectors of Mines remain on duty during the lockdown and conduct mainly unannounced visits at various mines particularly at high risk mines, to check the mines compliance to the Mine Health and Safety Act and other relevant prescripts such as “Lockdown” regulations.

Chief Inspector Mines

Date:

Recommended / Not Recommended

Advocate T S Mokoena

Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

………………/………………/2020

Approved/Not Approved

Mr SG Mantashe, MP

Minister of Mineral Resource and Energy

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2020

Reply:

a) There are 36 South African National Standards (SANS) and 2 South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) referenced in the Mine Health and Safety Act No 29 of 1996, as amended. The list is in Annexure 1.

b) The monitoring and enforcement is done by the Department’s Engineering Inspectors.

c) (i) The total number of compliance inspections conducted in 2016/2017 was 9 363 which included the mine equipment inspections.

(ii) Similarly, the total number of compliance inspections conducted in 2017/2018 was 9 425.

(iii) The total number of inspections conducted in 2018/2019 was 8567.

d) Where there were non-compliances observed during the inspections, to deal with dangerous conditions or non-compliance with mine standards or provisions under the Act, Inspectors issued sections 55 and 54 instructions as per the Mine Health and Safety Act, No. 29 of 1996 as amended. For instance, during the reporting period 2018/2019, there were 1399 section 55 instructions and 963 section 54 instructions issued, respectively.

Chief Inspector Mines

Date:

Recommended / Not Recommended

Advocate T S Mokoena

Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

………………/………………/2020

Approved/Not Approved

Mr SG Mantashe, MP

Minister of Mineral Resource and Energy

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2020

Reply:

Currency government does not have incentives to encourage (a) individuals to install systems and (b) use micro power generation for their own private power supply at household level, However, it should be indicated that there are benefits to either install or use micro power generator through sayings that are made from the decrease on electricity bills be» one is not using the grid connected electricity.

NW182E

Reply:

Reply

1. (i)The number of applications received in the last five years from 2015 to 31 March 2019 are 56

Year	Total No of Applications	Applications issued
2015	15	04
2016	07	01
2017	17	03
2018	10	01
2019	08	01

(bb)
(bb) Applications received from 1 April 2019 are 08

(ii) There are no applications issued in this category

(ii) There are no applications issued in this category

(b) Nigel, Brakpan and Benoni.

 

DDG: MR
Date: 27 FEB 2020

Recommended

Advocate TS Mokoena
Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

Approved

Mr SG Mantashe
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Date submitted: 09/03/2020

Reply:

(1) Yes, the department has issued a mining permit to Hlelo mining (Pty) Ltd under the reference number 11218MP. It is located on portion of portion 3 of the farm Boschmanspoort 159 IS, within the magisterial district of Hendrina. The department has no record of a mining permit issued to Lunathi Mining.

(2)(a) Section 27(8) of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA) as amended, provides that a mining permit may not be transferred, ceded, let, sublet, alienated or disposed of, in any way whatsoever, but may been cumbered or mortgaged only for the purpose of funding or financing of the mining project in question with the Minister’s consent.

(b) Yes, multiple permits can be issued for the same location in that a mining permit is issued only for 5 hectares and therefore other entities can apply on the same location for 5 hectares as long as it is not on the 5 hectare where there is an issued mining permit or a right.

DDG: MR

Date: 27 Feb 2020

Recommended

Advocate TS Mokoena
Director General: Department of Mineral Resources and Energy

Approved

Mr SG Mantashe
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Date submitted: 09/03/2020

Reply:

In 2019/20 financial year, the Department has not installed any Solar Water Heaters.
However,it can be reported that the installation companies were appointed in December 2019. The Department is currently finalising the internal audit on the bidding process to enable the finalisation of the contractual arrangements with the appointed Service Providers from which installation will commence; and

(ii) are still in storage;

Reply: The Department procured 87 206 SWH Baseline Systems from Bid Number DOE 008/2015/16 from which 150 systems were installed in Sol Plaatje Municipality on a repair and replace programme in 2018/19 FY whilst 200 systems where installed in 2018/19 FY at a pilot project in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The remaining systems are stored, some at SoEs, municipalities and Suppliers/ Manufacturers storage facilities.

The systems are currently being moved to the identified municipalities' storage facilities. As such, to date delivery of the systems is in progress to various municipalities since February 2020.

(b) what is the monthly cost of storage;

Reply: The monthly storage varies depending on the number days in a month. For a 30 days month, the storage costs amount to R 7, 923, 828.00 whilst in a 31 days month, the storage costs amount to R 8, 187, 956.53. The variance is due to the fact that the additional storage costs charged by each supplier is per unit per day instead of a fixed or standardised rate on a floor area coverage measured in square meters. These amounts reported on are after the Department had removed some systems to the SoEs' storage facilities.

In terms of the Supply Agreement for the Supply of Solar Water Heaters under Bid Number DOE 008/2015/16 entered in to between the Department and Suppliers, the Department had both financial and contractual obligations to settle additional storage costs in line with the extension of time on taking delivery of the manufactured goods. The prolonged period was attributable to the participating municipalities' delay in concluding the Framework Agreements with the Department in accordance with the Intergovernmental Framework Act (IGRA) owing to the project being implemented across the different spheres of government and the need to clearly outline the roles and responsibilities as well as obligations of each sphere during the implementation of the programme. Ensuring that governance structures are in place prior to the commencement of the programme will ultimately enable the level of accountability required from each sphere and or party.

As result, the delay in concluding the institutional arrangements impacted negatively on the planning and implementation of the programme which among others required municipalities to prepare the storage facilities (i.e. Central Storage) to take delivery of the goods and also enable the other critical path activities such Social Facilitation, Technical Feasibility Assessment and installation phase to be fast tracked.

(2) what steps has his department taken to rectify the major problem of the shortage of qualified installers?

Reply: The Department of Minerals Resources and Energy (the then DoE) partnered with the Department of Labour and Employment and the Central Energy Fund to facilitate the training of installer assistants. In all participating municipalities, it is estimated that 2644 installer assistants will be trained. However this number will reduce slightly due to Ndlambe Municipality's council resolution putting the programme on hold due to water challenges. As a result, the programme will not be rolled out in this municipality including training thereof. The Department of Labour and Employment has committed R36 million for this training of installation assistants. Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authorities has been contracted to oversee adherence to all the training requirements in line with its accreditation.

In addition, through the Supply Agreement entered between the Department and the Suppliers/Manufacturers, installers will be provided with product specific training by the manufacturers to make sure that all installations are done in line with their respective installation procedures.
NW86E

Reply:

(a) Total number of posts created: 2449

(b) Total number of posts to be created: 1700

Reply:

(1)(a) Yes, the Department is aware of an application to mine coal in Marloth Park next to the Kruger National Park.

(b) The assessment of the Environmental Impact Assessment is currently being conducted in terms of the requirements of the National Environmental Management Act and its Regulations. The assessment has not yet been finalised.

1. The Department learned of the application on the 19!h July 2018, which is the date when both the Mining Right Application in terms of section 22(1) of the MPRDA and the Environmental Authorization were lodged in terms of the EIA Regulations.

1. Yes, the copy of the EIA will be made available upon request.
2. The Department will not initiate an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as this is the requirement that must be satisfied by the applicant. The Department is required and currently undertaking an assessment of the submitted EIA in terms of the NEMA Act and Regulations
3. It is difficult for the Department to answer this question since the name of the person under this enquiry and the mining corporation she/he is said to be an executive has not been revealed.
4. It is again difficult for the Department to properly reply to the question since the name of the person under this enquiry and the mining corporation she/he is said to be an executive has not been revealed. This makes further investigations into the matter an impossibility.
5. The Minister will not be making a statement in this regard

Reply:

The question should be referred the Department of Labour to as the competent Authority.

Reply:

Regions	(1)	(2)
Mpumalanga	05	Business rescue plan were not submitted
Limpopo	01	No, It’s not our competency therefore the office cannot give a response since it’s the responsibility/competency of the Business Practitioners.

”.%._«

MINISTRY OF MINERAL RESOURCES REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

North West	04	Programme for Community Development 10000MR, Business Rescue Plan approved and a contarctor is currently mining Hernic Ferrochrome 91, 308 & 396 MR> Business Rescue Plan adopted on 29/03/2019, the mining right has been ceded to Samancor Chrome Limited with the only outstanding precedent condition being the conclusion of an electricity supply agreement with Eskom. Shiva Uranium (228, 400 & 401MR)> Business Rescue Plan not approved, Horizon Chrome Mine (247 MR) > Business Rescue Plan is approved, the mine is operational
Northern Cape	01	Details of the business rescue plans are not share with the office by the practitioners
KwaZulu Natal	00
Gauten	00
Free State	02	In both cases the process is still ongoing and not concluded.
Western Cape	00
Easter Cape	03	The office does not have business rescue plans at this point, entities were engaged to submit copies thereof and have failed thus far.
TOTAL	16

(1) The number of entities facing business rescue are 16

(2)

Reply:

Yes, the Department has issued a prospecting right within 10 km of the border of the Kruger National Park.

(a) date of issue of the right: 06 October 2009 expiring on the 5 h October 2014, The said right was renewed and expired on the 26* August 2018.

(b) Name of the company: Manzolwandle Investments (Pty) Limited

(c) Minerals: Coal

(d) Location of the license: The Farm Tenbosch 162 JU, Turnbult 593 JU & Tecklenburg Ranch 548 JU in the Magisterial District of Barberton

(e) Conditions attached to the license: The applicable conditions of the prospecting right required the right holder to comply with section 19(1) and (2), section 38, 41, 42, 43 and the related Regulations as well as comply with the approved Environmental Management Plan (EMP)

§ Current status of the operation: The prospecting right has lapsed

2. Yes, the following organs of state in charge with the environment in terms of section 40 of the MPRDA:

• • National Department of Water Affairs and Forestry
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
  • Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency

3. Yes, the Environmental Impact Assessment were conducted by the applicant as required in terms of section 39 of the MPRDA

a. the EIA recommended that the right be issued and financial provision for rehabilitation paid by the applicant in terms of section 41 of the MPRDA.

b. Yes, the applicant did comply with the recommendations.

Reply:

1. Please see Annexure A

2. (a) Yes, the Minister will furnish the copies of the Environmental Impact Assessments upon request

(b) Water Use License Approvals fall within the competence of the Department of Water and Sanitation in terms of the National \/\later Act 36 of 1998

ANNEXURE A

REF NUMBER			Date of Public Participation (ii)
MP 30/5/1/1/2/4218 PR	31,88271269180	-25,73419908670	24/02/2009
MP 30/5/1/1/2/0912 PR	31,82637458710	-25,69166262520	17/02/2006
MP 30/5/1/1/2/0787 PR	31,79476781810	-25,83804059790	refused no consultation
MP30/5/1/1/2/4524 PR	31,83482205530	-25,64327422090	withdrawn
MP 30/5/1/1/2/1325 PR	31,91839345340	-25,75332860260	2006/02/10
MP 30/5/1/1/2/0720 PR	31,82188617410	-25,90884537650	2005/06/10
MP 30/5/1/1/2/1305 PR	31,83994699620	-25,74284178660	refused no consultation
MP30/5/1/1/2/11143PR	31,88188278400	-25,67655251020	27/11/2013
MP30/5/1/1/2/10318PR	31,93622615420	-25,66816008370	rejected
MP30/5/1/1/2/12108PR	31,79697664160	-25,63684453420	rejected
MP30/5/1/1/2/10532PR	31,81750930740	-25,89867460210	rejected
MP30/5/1/1/2/11906PR	31,80699542720	-25,63644033710	22/05/2014
MP30/5/1/1/2/11907PR	31,82829565150	-25,64315396870	2014/03/06
MP30/5/1/1/2/11329PR	31,48747718360	-25,70979678860	1711212013
MP30/5/1/1/2/12368PR	31,96697067960	-25,63486432850	ected 26/06/2008
MP30/5/1/1/2/2094 PR	31,82921735800	-25,64228126990
MP30/5/1/1/2/11464PR	31,79697664160	-25,63684453420	31/01/2014
MP30/5/1/1/2/10290PR	31,82045434450	-25,70638769250	16/01/2013
MP30/5/1/1/2/5038 PR	31,47674307140	-25,71937221650	30/03/2010
MP30/5/1/1/2/03048 PR	31,47644148360	-25,71995708080	2008/11/08
MP 30/5/1/1/2/0865 PR	31,82205657200	-25,68763613010	lapsed
MP 30/5/1/1/2/1325 PR (R)	31,91838260720	-25,75345513130	2006/02/10
MP30/5/1/1/2/4773 PR	31,83976545340	-25,63603062580	refused no consultation
MP 30/5/1/1/2/0712 PR	31,82393434990	-25,90391680190	13/09/2005

 

	31,45325341000	-25,71186871200	2009/10/12
	31,96878494990	-25,63393733200	rejected
	31,81402322220	-25,68258424200	rejected
	31,84108462040	-25,72258788010	2009/10/12
	31,81658581280	-25,90235678030	rejected
	31,79466917090	-25,83797900450	refused no consultation
	31,82830611450	-25,64324150990	refused no consultation
	31;75612168250	-25,62375976820	refused no consultation
MP30/5/1/1/2/13463PR		31,75612168250	-25,62375976820	No outcome yet 2015/03/03
		31,83661113390	-2563062512550
MP30/5/1/112112928PR	31,96019608670	-25,67730561270	29/10/2014
MP30/5/1/1/2/13183PR	31,81958917440	-25,74072656330	rejected
MP30/5/1/1/2/13651PR	31,87511848300	-25,74720084110	4* November 2o014
MP30/5/1/1/2/13549PR	31,80121716950	-2563720520040	2015/06/03
MP30/5/1/1/2/14052PR	31,85030602510	-25,90690859510	rejected
MP30/5/1/1/2/15027PR	31,78440680450	-2563669016420	2018/11/06
MP30/5/1/1/2/14884PR	31,92466808080	-25,72794011510	lapsed
MP30/5/1/1/2/15634PR	31,48116350740	-25,70518383400	NotyetdeGdedon
MP30/5/1/1/2/15993PR	31,92447751970	-25,92195402590	Not yet decided on

 

Reply:

1. No, the granting of the above-concessions will not result in the monopolization and sterilization of the resources, since all these rights were issued with approved Mining Work Programmes that details how the minerals will be extracted in different phases.

2. Because the company has applied for renewals, host communities and the local municipalities are consulted before the Social and Labour Plans before the renewals are submitted, the Marine Artisanal Miners Primary Cooperative Limited should have been consulted as part of the host communities not in their capacity as the representatives of the Cooperative.

NW1409E

Reply:

(a) 314

(b) 10/06/2011

(c) 01

(d) 30/08/2018

Reply:

The Department received the question, reviewed its contents against its mandate and has determined that the most appropriate respondent should be the City of Ekurhuleni.

Reply:

(1) The Department is still conducting research on the different methodologies.

(2) No

DDG: Mineral Policy and Promotion
Ms N Ngcwabe
Date: 26/09/2019
 

Recommended

Advocate T Mokoena
Director General: Department of Mineral Resources
Date: 30/09/2019

Approved

Mr SG Mantashe
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date: 15/10/2019