SA ranks higher on the Fraser Institute survey on mining jurisdictions

South Africa has seen a significant upward shift in its ranking in the Fraser Institute survey on mining jurisdictions, indicating an improvement in the attractiveness of the country's mining policies. The Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, recently discussed the progress made by South Africa in a television interview with CNBC Africa's Lubabalo Mashiqana. The Fraser Institute, a global institution that evaluates the performance of mining jurisdictions, ranked South Africa number 81 out of 91 in 2017 in terms of investor attractiveness and certainty. However, the latest assessment has seen the country climb to the 56th position out of 83, with an even more impressive ranking of 43rd in terms of investor attractiveness. Minister Mantashe emphasized the importance of collective effort within the sector to further enhance South Africa's performance in the mining industry. Despite these strides, challenges persist, notably illustrated by recent strikes in the sector. One such conflict highlighted in the interview was the standoff between mining companies Sibane and Amkodat. Minister Mantashe underscored the constitutionally enshrined right to strike and emphasized the need for constructive engagement between company leadership and unions to resolve disputes, rather than external intervention by government officials. The Minister's intervention in the Sibane and Amkodat dispute aimed at encouraging dialogue and settlement to prevent potential job losses. Sibane, facing significant financial setbacks, threatened to shed over 6,000 jobs, adding to the ongoing issue of job losses in the mining sector. Mantashe drew attention to the positive outcomes of effective communication and negotiation between employers and unions, citing instances where job losses were averted through collaborative efforts. He urged Sibane to engage in open discussions to mitigate potential job losses and preserve employment opportunities within the industry. Another pressing issue raised during the interview was the challenge of community collaboration in mining activities. Mantashe acknowledged the prolonged nature of the collabing mining debate, which has been unresolved for 16 years. He stressed the need for a decisive process to address the issue, involving extensive community engagement to gauge support for mining activities. The Minister emphasized the significance of conducting surveys to scientifically assess community sentiments towards mining projects, highlighting the necessity of obtaining full consent from affected communities. Mantashe's proactive approach to addressing the collabing mining dilemma reflects a commitment to fostering transparent and inclusive decision-making processes within the mining sector in South Africa. In conclusion, South Africa's improved ranking on the Fraser Institute survey signals progress in enhancing the country's mining policies. However, the challenges of labor disputes, job losses, and community collaboration underscore the ongoing complexities within the industry. Minister Mantashe's strategic interventions and emphasis on dialogue and engagement offer a blueprint for addressing these challenges and sustaining growth and stability in the South African mining sector.