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The Chamber of Mines joins Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) and Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) in support of Cosatu’s stand against state capture and corruption. The future of South Africa and its people continues to be jeopardised by the effects of state capture and corruption. The future of our very own mining industry is at risk.

There are many committed and hard-working individuals within government and in the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), who like us, believe that South Africans deserve better: That South Africans have earned the right to a meaningful future, a future where every citizen has the opportunity to prosper, not only the well-connected few.

The unilaterally developed Mining Charter introduced by the Minister of Mineral Resources in June itself carries strong indications of corrupt motives. It is clearly intended to benefit a select few at the expense of the whole country, is not in the national interest and demonstrates disregard for ethical leadership and the absence of concern for the wellbeing of the industry and its stakeholders.

The Chamber has had no choice but to resort to the courts to suspend the Minister’s Charter. But, there is a long journey ahead, which requires a Ministry that is committed to doing the best for its mines and miners.

The Chamber of Mines and our members have lost confidence in Minister Zwane’s leadership of the DMR. Serious allegations of corruption against the Minister and the DMR under his leadership have not been cleared.

These allegations must be addressed and the proposed judicial commission of inquiry into state capture must be established and allowed to carry out its work without interference.

The Chamber of Mines supports the call for a commission of inquiry into state capture and calls for ethical leadership and a focus on the national interest by all parties.

The future is in our hands. Now, more than ever before, we need to work together to ensure that our industry continues to benefit all South Africans.

Issued by Chamber of Mines