Minerals Council South Africa has responded exceedingly positively to the launch by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the third phase of South Africa’s Government-Business Partnership for Growth and Jobs, which marks the next chapter of a joint effort between government and business to accelerate inclusive economic growth, unlock investment, strengthen confidence and create jobs.

The goal is to lift South Africa’s economic growth to 3% by 2030 and create one-million jobs.

Unlocking R50-billion in capital currently tied up in planned projects facing delays has been flagged along with restoring investor confidence in mining, which has been singled out as the major driver of economic growth.

Phase three will be about deepening implementation, embedding reforms already undertaken to ensure that progress cannot be reversed.

“This phase must be defined by disciplined execution. Every workstream must have clear objectives, measurable targets, firm timelines and accountable leaders. Progress must be monitored regularly and reported transparently. Where implementation falls behind, we must intervene rapidly.

“Where policies or regulations are holding back investment without serving a legitimate public purpose, they must be reviewed. Where institutional capacity is weak, it must be strengthened.

“Where corruption or vested interests obstruct progress, they must be confronted. We must maintain the highest standards of governance and public integrity,” Ramaphosa emphasised at the launch.

Commenting on the development, Minerals Council South Africa president Paul Dunne said in a video release to Engineering News & Mining Weekly: “Our President has just launched the Government-Business Partnership phase three, which will be focused on inclusive economic growth, jobs, and confidence. Mining will take its rightful place on the programme. As you all know, we’re a very strong economic force, a primary industry with a strong economic multiplier and an excellent capacity to create real jobs.”

Minerals Council South Africa CEO Mzila Mthenjane, who is also the mining workstream’s Focal Area Lead, added: “Really happy this afternoon to be at the phase-three launch of the partnership, where mining is one of the four growth drivers that has been identified and it is on the list of sectors that will be very key to driving South Africa’s future economy.

“What is really exciting about this is the confidence that it’s showing in the success that has been achieved so far with electricity as well as logistics reform and we’re also seeing the progress that is being made on crime and corruption.

“It’s really exciting for mining. We’ve always had a huge sense of belief and conviction in the ability of mining to deliver significant growth and benefit to society in terms of employment creation, in terms of livelihood support, looking at the multiplier effect.

“Of course, in this day and age of demand for the minerals, not only for technology but also for infrastructure within South Africa, in Southern Africa, this bodes very well for mining going forward over the next 20 to 30 years, and that is really the outlook that we have, that mining over those next 20 to 30 years will be delivering significant benefits for South Africans,” Mthenjane pointed out.

Minerals Council South Africa senior executive Shamini Harrington described mining as one of South Africa’s greatest opportunities for the future. “Its inclusion in phase three of the partnership recognises that unlocking growth, investment and jobs depends on unlocking the full potential of the sector.

“At a time of rising global demand for critical minerals, the moment is definitely now.Working in partnership with the DMPR and government, we have a huge opportunity to remove practical barriers, restore investor confidence, and convert mineral wealth into economic growth that benefits all South Africans. Together, we can turn potential into progress, and through collaboration and partnership, we can make this a success,” Harrington emphasised.

Minerals Council South Africa VP Dr Richard Stewart, who is also the mining workstream’s CEO Sponsor, described the programme as critical. “There are two aspects for me that really stand out. The one is we spoke about the R50-billion in capital being unlocked and that’s really referring to capital within the country that’s been planned and committed towards new potential projects that are getting delayed for various reasons, including administrative constraints and complex regulatory environments. So, the more we can work with partners in government to unlock that capital, I mean that’s already capital that’s onshore.