The South African government maintains it has taken significant steps to resolve policy and regulatory issues that investors have identified previously as constraints to greater investment.This comes as mining houses and the Mining Council have called on government to deliver policy and regulatory cer t a int y.Speaking during a recent online mining conference, President Cyril Ramaphosa said mining had an important role to play in meeting the country’s development aspirations and government had taken several steps to ensure policy certainty thanks to the Mining Charter III.He said it undoubtedly provided “greater policy certainty” that would attract higher levels of investment.“Sustainable mining is key to accelerated industrialisation, innovation, competition and creating employment,” said Ramaphosa. “As South Africa, it is our aspiration that the recovery from Covid-19 furthers the cause of a more inclusive economy. The mining sector should strive for greater sustainability, competitiveness and transformation. Mining companies should foster an inclusive approach to all aspects of mining, from ownership to participation in management and also to procurement.”He said the mining industry should step up its efforts to provide employment, business and training opportunities to people in the communities in which it operated. “All of these elements are included in the mining charter, which was extensively canvassed among industry stakeholders,” he said. “We continue to drive policy reform in the sector. We want to promote greater exploration and beneficiation in minerals and upstream petroleum activities, especially developing our domestic and regional gas market.”Ramaphosa said that to grow existing mining activity the government was working with industry to formalise small-scale and artisanal mining, revitalise sterile mines, and discover new minerals, especially those that are critical for the economy of the future. To grow existing mining activity the government is working with industry to formalise small-scale and artisanal mining.– President Cyril Ramaphosa“
