MINING
Lack of community consultation gives lie to ANC’s populist rhetoric
Policies and legislation entrench and enable deep and historical inequality of the past to continue into future
In a recent opinion piece, ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte asked a pertinent question about the mining sector: is SA benefiting enough from the extraction of its resources? While we are delighted that such a senior leader of the majority party would publicly question the efficacy of mining and its benefit to SA and its people, there remains a significant disconnect between the rhetoric that emerges from the governing party and the policies and legislation that entrench and enable the deep and historical inequality of the past to continue into the future. Duarte approvingly quotes Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane as saying that "with an estimated $2.5-trillion to $3-trillion in nonenergy mineral reserves still in situ, we are looking forward to another 150 years of mining in SA… [a]s we move mining forward, let’s take everyone along and ensure that the mineral wealth beneath our soil indeed benefits all South Africans". She further asserts that "[n]atural resourc...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.