18 December 2000
The South African Communist welcomes the publication of what may perhaps go down as one of the most significant pieces of legislation of our new democracy, the Mineral Development Bill. For the SACP this is an important step towards the realisation of one of our long-standing goals, that mineral rights should revert back to the state. To this end we wish to reiterate our belief that the state should play a leading role in key sectors of our economy. Mining rights cannot be left in private hands. We would th erefore also like to congratulate the Minister Minerals and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, for the publication of this progressive legislation.
The SACP particularly welcomes the bill's decisive statement that the mineral wealth of our country collectively belongs to all the people, as well as the provisions relating to locating the mining of our wealth within the context of developing poor and ru ral communities. This marks a truly significant break with the past and provides new avenues for the state to drive a developmental programme in relation to the utilisation of the mineral resources of our country. The mining industry has been the foundatio n and bedrock of colonial oppression, acute exploitation and apartheid, and thus its transformation is an important break with this past.
We are also pleased about the commitment of the draft bill to meaningful economic empowerment for the majority of our people. The SACP will actively mobilise its structures to ensure that these commitments are realised, in particular the empowerment of ord inary working and rural people. We also see this as an opportunity for the fostering and development of a co-operative sector in the mining industry.
The SACP emphatically rejects attempts by the Chamber of Mines to blackmail government by claiming that such legislation may undermine the mining industry and international confidence in our country. This kind of blackmail must be seen by all for what it i s +IBM- an attempt by the white mining oligarchy to protect its own narrow and selfish interests by preventing the transformation of this important sector of our economy. We are also pleased about the intention of the bill to require all to re-apply for mi ning licences, so that government will be able to set the necessary minimum requirements for the transformation of the mining industry. We hope this will extend to setting stringent minimum requirements for safety and health in order to minimise the death and injuries in this sector.
The SACP welcomes the opportunity provided by the Minister for public debate on this draft bill. We will do all in our power to ensure that we, together with the labour movement and the working class as a whole, participate in this debate. We also wish to warn the mining bosses not to try and use their economic power to try and hold the country at ransom.
For further information please contact:
Solly Mapaila
E-mail:sacp1@wn.org.za
Cell: 0828863526