NEWS & OPINION
1
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.
As technology and vehicle companies become increasingly reliant on cobalt, many business, government, and nonprofit leaders have grown concerned about the mineral’s controversial supply chain. A large amount of cobalt continues to be mined using child labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In particular, the dominant roles played by both China and the DRC have raised major concerns about ensuring supply of this increasingly valuable commodity.
South Africa’s mining industry is in trouble. South Africa is no longer seen to be a favouredmining investment destination. Investor-friendly regulations are seen as crucial in order to improve the mining sector’s fortunes. The Government of South Africa, as well as the Minerals Council South Africa (previously the Mining Chamber), is seeking to stimulate growth and encourage greater investment in South Africa. There is a need to improve South Africa’s mining policy in hope of improving regulatory certainty for investors and kick-starting the country’s lagging economy.