NEWS & OPINION
1
There is merit to the argument that Africa is the only continent that does not need anything i.e. many resources often traded in global markets (like agricultural products/ commodities, and mineral resources) originate from Africa. However, owing to insufficient capacity to beneficiate these resources, they tend to be classified as raw materials, and countries are forced to export them. Africa is infamous for exporting raw materials and importing manufactured (value-added) products. The AfCFTA Agreement aims to encourage both specialisation and higher value-added exports. Thus, the focus in the petroleum industry ought to be on constructing refineries across the continent to refine crude oil and facilitate intra-African trade for overall economic growth and development, to mitigate the effects of the resource curse.
Having languished in the first three quarters this year, the Zimbabwean mining sector shows little sign of recovery or improvement. Foreign currency deficiencies, rolling electricity blackouts, fuel shortages and an on-going cholera outbreak remain serious threats to the wellbeing of this sector.
Globally, there is a move away from coal and towards renewable sources of energy. This has been reflected in some key court and tribunal decisions in countries such as South Africa and Kenya, that have acknowledged the adverse effects of coal on the environment and on communities’ health and livelihoods. It however remains to be seen whether the lawmakers will take the requisite steps to enact legislation to safeguard these interests.
This article looks at the reasons for Germany ceasing its black coal mine operations and considers whether it would be feasible for South Africa to follow suit.
Does BEE create a small elite, without bringing about widespread socio-economic development? Are business interests at odds with meaningful transformation? With reference to the 2010 and 2018 Mining Charters, this opinion piece considers these questions.
Sovereign Wealth Funds have numerous advantages for countries around the world. They promote future infrastructure development, and create savings and reserves for future generations. However, they may not be appropriate in certain contexts. This article posits that such Funds may not be suitable in various developing countries such as Kenya, owing to issues such as corruption in the management of public funds, the increasing foreign debt and other government priorities that require urgent funding.
The mining sector’s role in South Africa’s socio-economic and political development has been polarized, and polarizing. It is polarizing in the sense that, though many have amassed vast wealth from the exploitation of South Africa’s mineral resources, mining has also been the motivation for – and the organising principle behind – much of the social, political and economic marginalisation of so-called ‘non-white’ South Africans. Mining’s history has been polarized in that its contribution to this country’s economy and industrial development cannot be denied. However, many of South Africa’s most pressing issues – like poverty, illiteracy, and above all inequality – are all inextricably linked to mining’s history. This article looks at the role of South Africa’s mining sector in creating racialised inequality between 1860 and 1930.
The Constitutional Court has recently handed down a judgment that has been hailed as a victory for communities who have faced eviction because of mining. The days of mining companies claiming to meet the consultation requirements of the relevant legislation by dealing only with traditional leaders rather than those directly affected are at an end. This article provides a quick overview of the most important aspects of the judgment for communities and landowners.
The article portrays the standard of living and the deplorable conditions that exist in mining areas in Ghana. The Mineral Development Fund created by the government of Ghana has not been successful in ensuring that mining communities benefit sufficiently from mining revenues since development still does not take place. This article argues that part of the revenue that accrue to the nation from its minerals must be reserved for a national fund that is managed by a body that is not related to the state.
In response to a call for input on the reviewing of the Mining Charter, Prof. Nic Olivier, Prof. Hanri Mostert, Ms. Anri Heyns and Mr. Lindokuhle Ntuli made a submission to the Department of Mineral Resources and the Presidency on behalf of MLiA.
Professor Hanri Mostert shares the lessons she learnt from the late Professor Dee Bradshaw.
The Minister of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development is championing mining tax reform for the direct benefit of local communities.