MPUMLANGA MINING INDABA
Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla together with the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will deliver the keynote addresses at the Provincial Mining Summit on Thursday, 27 January 2005 to be held at Pienaardam Leisure Resort in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
Historically, South Africa’s economy has been dependant on the mining industry, however, due to the depletion of mineral resources, the situation has been challenged to be more creative.
Mpumalanga’s mining sector produces coal, gold, platinum and verdeite. Although the provinces share in the total mining sector of South Africa decreased slightly from 23,9 % in 1990 to 22,3% in 2002, the coal industry remains the biggest supplier (70%) of electricity in South Africa.
Furthermore, mineral resources are exported in their primary forms, which poses huge challenges for development in the Mpumalanga’s mining sector.
This summit will therefore, as envisaged, hold discussions on the challenges facing the mining sector in the province. These challenges, among others includes:
Canvassing support towards the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy
that will be launched on the 7th & 8th of February 2005 at Badplaas Aventura.
Buy-in for building economies through industrial cluster approach
Exploring support by government to the growth of the sector.
- BEE opportunities
Facilitating the development of informal mining
Increasing investment and export opportunities
Beneficiation and.
Enquiries :
Ntime Skhosana 0846730415 /0137662055
ISSUED BY :
Office of the Premier-Mpumalanga Provincial Government