Another bad ANC idea about mining
20 October 2022
The ANC, EFF, AIC and ATM have approved a budget report which calls for the state to explore, mine and process all newly discovered mineral deposits.
The DA was the only party on the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy to oppose the recommendation in the report which will go to Parliament for approval.
The DA is opposed in principle to the existence of the state owned mining company, the African Exploration And Mining Finance Company (AEMFC) which has been plagued by management and corruption issues similar to those in other state owned entities. To propose a dominant role raises several issues.
The wording of the recommendation, “Ensure that the AEMFC collaborate with the CGS, Mintek and other relevant stakeholders to prioritise and ensure that all newly discovered mineral deposits are explored, mined and processed by the state” clearly implies a requirement of involvement by the state mining company in all new mining operations.