BusinessLive reports that SA’s mining industry’s hope of revisiting the transformation and growth of the resources sector were dashed at weekend talks with new Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe.  

The Chamber of Mines had hoped to use the chance of a new minister and the postponed court review of the controversial third version of the Mining Charter drawn up under the leadership of Mosebenzi Zwane, to find common ground with the government.  However, there was a cold dose of political reality when it appeared that far from abandoning the suspended third charter, the ministry under Mantashe — a former general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) — merely proffered changes to the document and agreed to the setting up of two teams to discuss transformation and competitiveness.  The teams, representing the mineral resources department, the Chamber, the SA Mining Development Association, the NUM, Solidarity and Uasa, will thrash out ideas and report back on 10 April.  Noticeably absent from the talks was the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), which allegedly said it had not received an invitation.  Talks pressed on without Amcu, which is an arch rival of the NUM, but it is understood it will be invited to all further sessions.  Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa did not respond to requests for comment.

• Read this report by Allan Seccombe in full at BusinessLive Premium (paywall access)

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