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The Chamber of Mines notes the appointment of the new DG of Mineral Resources Advocate Mokoena. Whilst we acknowledge that the appointment of the Director General is the prerogative of the Minister, we believe that the following are important:

• Consultation with key stakeholders such as the Chamber of Mines and other relevant stakeholders is important before the announcement is made and as the Chamber we have been caught by surprise by the announcement.

• Whilst the newly appointed Director General is a lawyer by training, there are concerns about the depth of his mining industry knowledge and experience, more so given that the industry has a twin challenge of attracting investments and growing the industry; and is also dealing with challenges of transformation and inclusive growth. For the industry leadership capabilities are very important to deal with such imperatives which are immediate for the industry and the country.

Given the significant challenges facing the South African mining sector, including viability issues, policy uncertainty, a DMR draft Charter that has many unworkable targets, static investment, falling employment and a South African mining industry that is now ranked 74th out of 104 mining jurisdictions in the Fraser Institute ranking for investment attractiveness, all of which will pose significant challenges for the new Director General.

Issued by Chamber of Mines