I still haven't seen the new mining charter

If anyone does have a copy it would be very appreciated if you could sent it through to me.  That is before the final one is published in August (ish).

I did mention Peter Leon in an earlier post today.  Mining Weekly conveniently interviewed Peter today.

Leon said that the important aspect of the historic 13-point declaration was that it was a government, labour and business joint venture.

"The big change is that, in the past, the Department of Mineral Resources has simply told mining companies what to do through regulations. This is the first time, since the Mining Charter was agreed back in those difficult days of 2002, that the key players in the industry, including labour, have got together and agreed a way forward."

The 13 points they will commit to are:

1. promote investment;
2. establish a long-term infrastructure planning mechanism;
3. innovate;
4. accelerate exploration;
5. add value through beneficiation;
6. promote the country's ranking as an investment destination;
7. develop skills;
8. advance employment equity;
9. boost near-mine communities;
10. convert hostels into family units by 2014;
11. develop enterprises through procurement;
12. realise 26% equity ownership by 2014; and
13. monitor and evaluate the implementation of the joint declaration.

Leon said that the declaration confirmed that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) would be "significantly amended" during the Parliamentary session next year, in order to give effect to the joint declaration.

"One of the very important things that this document recognises is that the architecture of the MPRDA, and not just its implementation, is defective. There is now an admission by everybody, including the government, of the need to go back to the drawing board and fix the issues in the Act, like Ministerial discretion and lack of compulsory time periods for licensing."

Andrew left a comment about sustainability in the mining industry.  Valid point - but this in itself cannot be a footnote in a transformation charter.  It needs to stand on its own - perhaps it will find itself in the new MPRDA.