The Chamber of Mines (CoM) has agreed to postpone its court application in respect of the reviewed Mining Charter, which was due to be heard in the High Court this week.
The Presidency said in a statement yesterday (Sunday) that it had been in discussions with the CoM to resolve the impasse over the mining charter.
This was in a bid “to facilitate a process of developing a New Mining Charter that all stakeholders can support and defend”.
“The Chamber of Mines, on behalf of its members, has agreed jointly with the Department of Mineral Resources to postpone its court application in respect of the Reviewed Mining Charter, which was due to be heard in the High Court on 19 to 21 February.
“The postponement serves to allow parties the space to engage and find an amicable solution,” said the Presidency.
This was in line with president Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment during the State of the Nation Address on Friday to intensify engagements with all stakeholders on the Mining Charter “to ensure that it is truly an effective instrument to sustainably transform the face of mining in South Africa”.
“By working together in a genuine partnership, underscored by trust and a shared vision, I am certain we will be able to resolve the current impasse and agree on a Charter that both accelerates transformation and grows this vital sector of our economy,” Ramaphosa said.
The Department of Mineral Resources amended the Mining Charter to strengthen and refine its effectiveness in driving economic transformation and competitiveness in the mining sector.
CoM president, Mxolisi Mgojo, said: “We welcome the President’s intervention and his commitment to engaging meaningfully with stakeholders in the industry – and others - on a new Mining Charter.”
