
Related
Top stories






More news

Tourism & Travel
Year-end celebrations still matter even when budgets are tight










Marketing & Media
Why South African brands need to take GEO seriously













He says that the growth and transformation of South Africa's mining industry are not mutually exclusive but rather inextricably intertwined.
"We can’t have one without the other, and we need a stable, predictable regulatory environment that promotes both," he said.
Dunne says that the MCSA agrees with the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe's sentiment that the mining industry is the most transformed sector in the South African economy.
According to Dunne, mining has made substantial strides in transformation and addressing the historical injustices of the past.
One of which is the inclusion of women, who now account for a fifth of the mining workforce. Before 1994, women were not legally allowed to be a part of the underground workforce. "A degree of stigma and even superstition has been overcome, and we are better off for it," says Dunne.
"These contributions were made despite the industry facing headwinds of a difficult operating and regulatory environment, which has reduced the contribution of mining from historic levels," he said.
The MCSA believes that the draft MRDP, in its current form, does not encourage the growth and investment that the mining industry needs to create jobs, stimulate the economy, and fulfil its social mandate.
After submitting its concerns, the MCSA has indicated that it remains constructively engaged during the consultation phase. Adding that it anticipates a short period before a redraft emerges, "potentially extending into the new year".
Given the amount of time and money needed to build mines in South Africa (Dunne says it costs R20bn and 10 years to build a "decent-sized" mine), Dunne says that companies must operate in an environment that allows them to attract capital in the form of debt or equity to fund projects.
He adds that investors will think twice about putting their capital into "risky environments", which will threaten their returns given a plethora of issues, ranging from regulatory uncertainty, crime and corruption to failing infrastructure.
"It is critical for mining companies and investors, throughout the value chain, to have a pragmatic, stable regulatory environment that attracts investment rather than discourages it by onerous, globally uncompetitive policy," says Dunne.
The MCSA has been engaging with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and other governmental stakeholders to ensure that the South African mining sector remains attractive to international investors.
So, in conclusion, Dunne asks: "Can we achieve growth and transformation at the same time?”
He says, “Of course, we can, but we must ensure an enabling policy framework that attracts and retains the capital...to do so.
"Mining is a very people-centric industry, and we are deeply connected to the fabric of society at the ground level. It is important that we succeed!"