Following the State of the Nation Address on Friday 16 February 2018, the Chamber of Mines, on behalf of its members, has agreed jointly with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to postpone its court application in respect of the Reviewed Mining Charter (RMC), that was due to be heard in the High Court on 19 – 21 February.
The Presidency has indicated that it is committed to resolving the impasse over the Mining Charter and to facilitate a process of developing a new Mining Charter, inclusive of all stakeholders and in the interests of the industry and the country as a whole.
In line with the spirit and the tone of the message as stated by the President during SONA on 16 February, the Chamber of Mines is agreeable to the request by the Presidency to give negotiations a chance. The Chamber of Mines wishes to reiterate its position that only a negotiated Mining Charter taking on board the views and inputs of all key stakeholders will enjoy the support and endorsement of all stakeholders. President of the Chamber of Mines, 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. Ultimately, a new Mining Charter must be developed and resolved through negotiation, with representation by a broad range of stakeholders – government, business, labour and communities. For the Chamber of Mines, and the industry, legal recourse was always a last resort, intended to get the parties to the table, and the sooner we do that the better for the industry and our country.”