President Cyril Ramaphosa: 2022 Investing in African Mining Indaba

10 May 2022

Keynote Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 2022 Investing in African Mining Indaba, Cape Town International Convention Centre

This Mining Indaba is taking place at an important moment in the global recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Across the world, almost every industry is having to adapt to new circumstances, confront new challenges and be prepared to seize new opportunities.

The mining industry in Africa is no different.

As it responds to the effects of the pandemic, the mining industry also needs to manage the risks and potential benefits of rapid technological change, shifting market demand, climate change and geo-political uncertainty.

Like all other industries, the pandemic caused significant disruption to mining operations.

But once again, the industry has shown its resilience.

In South Africa, mining registered growth of 11.8 per cent in 2021, the highest across all industries. Last year the sector recovered production to almost pre-COVID levels.

This was the result of significant collaboration between the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Minerals Council South Africa, including efforts to keep the sector operational during the hard lockdowns in the pandemic’s early stages.

After more than 150 years, mining remains a critical pillar of our economy.

Mining is a significant contributor to export earnings, it is an important source of foreign direct investment, and directly employs nearly half a million people.

And we expect mining’s significance and contribution to our economy to grow.

Like many other parts of our continent, our country is abundantly blessed with vast mineral deposits that form the basis of the most important applications used in society and economies today.

Mining companies see the potential in South Africa.

At the fourth South Africa Investment Conference earlier this year, investments valued at around R46.5 billion were pledged towards mining and mineral beneficiation.

Despite the great prospects for South African mining, we face significant challenges.

It is a matter of grave concern that South Africa has fallen into the bottom 10 of the Fraser Institute’s Investment Attractiveness Index rankings.

We are currently standing at 75th of 84, which is our worst-ever ranking.

This ranking underlines the fundamental reality that South Africa needs to move with greater purpose and urgency to remove the various impediments to the growth and development of the industry.

We understand very clearly the need to fix to the regulatory and administrative problems.

We need to clear the backlog of mining and prospecting rights and mineral rights transfer applications, put in place a modern and efficient cadastral system, and implement an effective exploration strategy.

We understand very clearly the need to significantly improve the functioning of our railways and ports, and the vital importance of ensuring a secure and reliable supply of affordable electricity.

These tasks are at the forefront of our economic reconstruction and recovery efforts.

Since the last Mining Indaba, we have made significant headway in driving a programme of policy reform for the network industries that are inextricably tied to mining and its operations.

This programme is being coordinated through Operation Vulindlela, an initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury, working in partnership with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and other departments.

An important area of progress is regulatory reform to facilitate new electricity generation by the mining and other sectors.

Regulations have been amended to allow companies to invest in new generation capacity of up to 100 MW without needing to apply for a license.

We are working to further cut red tape for the registration of projects, to accelerate environmental approvals and to strengthen the capacity of Eskom and municipalities to link such projects to the grid.

According to the Minerals Council South Africa, around 4,000 MW or R65 billion of such electricity generation capacity investment is in the pipeline.

South Africa’s energy landscape is being fundamental transformed to introduce greater competition, more diverse energy sources and greater energy security into the future.

The unbundling Eskom into separate entities for transmission, distribution and generation is on track, and is set to be completed later this year.

Operation Vulindlela is working with the Department of Water and Sanitation to implement a turnaround plan for the issuing of water use licenses, something that is critical to mining operations.

We are working towards a target of 80 per cent of all applications being resolved within 90 days.

On Transnet, the publication of the White Paper on National Rail Policy outlines our plans to revitalise rail infrastructure and to enable third party access to the freight rail network.

We have heard the calls from the industry for private operators to be allowed to operate the country’s dedicated coal, iron ore and manganese lines. 

We hope that such proposals will be discussed at the Indaba, drawing on the experiences of other countries.

Working together with the industry and other stakeholders, we are strengthening the capacity of our security services and law enforcement agencies to tackle illegal mining, cable theft and general damage to infrastructure.

We value our ongoing collaboration with the Minerals Council South Africa to resolve these and other challenges facing the industry.

According to companies surveyed by the Minerals Council if these regulatory hurdles could be resolved, they would be prepared to increase their investments by 84 per cent over the next five years, over and above existing capital investments.

We are committed to mobilising the necessary resources and providing the necessary incentives for a new wave of exploration, particularly of the minerals required for the global energy transition.

The recently-released Exploration Strategy and Implementation Plan lays out South Africa’s plans to move to future strategic metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt and rare earths.

As a world leader in platinum group metals, South Africa is perfectly poised to take advantage of the growing demand for such metals.

At the same time, we must continue to expand the production of some of the minerals that have been the mainstay of our mining industry, and for which there is still much demand.

We are keen to harness the opportunities of the hydrogen economy.

Last week, I attended the launch by Anglo American of the world’s largest hydrogen-powered mine haul truck.

This truck will be powered by an entire ecosystem of hydrogen production centered around the mine itself.

We aim to be not only an important hub for the production and export of green hydrogen, but also of green ammonia, green iron and steel, and sustainable aviation jet fuel.

South Africa’s Hydrogen Strategy is aimed at stimulating and guiding innovation along the value chain of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

This will not only sustain demand for PGMs but also position South Africa to derive benefits from supplying high value-added products.

As a continent that has such a rich abundance of resources, Africa needs to beneficiate its mineral endowments for the benefit of the current and future generations.

Mining has an important role in South Africa’s just energy transition.

In our onward march towards a low-carbon future it is critical that our efforts are both realistic and sustainable.

We have resuscitated the successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme, with plans to substantially upscale investment in wind and solar power.

We are diversifying our energy mix under the Integrated Resource Plan.

We have supporting legislation to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

In line with our just transition efforts, we are in the process of mobilising international finance as part of the effort to ensure that affected communities and existing industries are supported.

It is clear that as our reliance on coal is reduced, pathways towards new economic activity needed to be created for workers in affected industries.

As we confront the reality of energy insecurity and the development of new energy sources, it is critical that South Africa, like all developing economies, be given the necessary developmental space.

Countries on the African continent need to be able to explore and extract oil and gas in an environmentally-responsible and sustainable manner.

These resources are important for energy security, for social and economic development, and for reducing energy poverty on the continent.

It is important that as we undertake a just energy transition, we adhere to the principle contained in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

The growth and development of mining in South Africa will not be possible unless the working and living conditions of mineworkers and mining communities are improved.

It is important that mining companies engage with labour in the spirit of partnership and cooperation.

It is vital that mine safety and the health of workers becomes the industry’s foremost concern. On this there can be no compromise.

I wish to comment the mining sector for the financial and logistical support it has given to the roll-out of South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination programme.

As of the start of May, more than 75 per cent of mineworkers were fully vaccinated, and 66 per cent were partially vaccinated.

Drawing on its extensive experience with managing other communicable diseases such as TB and HIV, the mining sector has been able to manage the pandemic carefully and systematically.

The partnership between government and the Minerals Council of South Africa stands as a fine example of how the private sector can support a nation’s development agenda.

In undertaking its vaccination programme, the mining industry has also demonstrated its responsibility to the communities in which its operations are located.

It is important that this commitment is sustained in all areas of development, including through the effective implementation of Social and Labour Plans, responsible environmental practices and local procurement.

The future of mining on the African continent holds great promise.

It holds great promise for investment, for industrial development and for growth.

We have a shared responsibility – as governments, as mining companies, as labour and as communities – to realise that promise.

As the government of South Africa, we are firmly committed to fulfil our responsibilities and to remove all impediments to the growth, sustainability and prosperity of the mining industry.

We are firmly committed to ensuring that mining occupies its rightful place as an industry of the future.

I thank you.

View more

Minister Mantashe to address the Solar Power Africa conference

The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe (MP) will on Wednesday, 16 February 2022, address the Solar Power Africa 2022 Conference set to take place from 16 to 18 February 2022 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Continue reading View more

President Cyril Ramaphosa: a step in reforming the electricity sector

10 Jun 2021

President announces major reform to enable investment in embedded generation and promote energy security

President Cyril Ramaphosa, together with Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, today (10 June 2021) announced a significant step in further reforming our electricity sector towards the achievement of a stable and secure supply of energy. 

Following an extensive public consultation process undertaken by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act will be amended to increase the licensing threshold for embedded generation projects from 1 MW to 100 MW. 

New generation projects up to 100 MW in size will now be registered and will be able to connect to the grid. 

Generation facilities will still need to have their registration approved by the regulator and meet all of the associated requirements, including grid connection approval from the network provider. 

Generators will be allowed to sell electricity to one or more end-user customers, on the condition that they are registered and have secured grid connection approval. 

This intervention is undertaken within the broader context of electricity industry reforms currently underway. The raising of the licensing threshold is expected to unlock significant investment in new generation capacity in the short and medium-term. 

President Ramaphosa said: “This decision reflects our determination to take the necessary action to achieve energy security and reduce the impact of load shedding on businesses and households across the country.” 

The final version of the amendment to Schedule 2 and associated rules will be published within the next 60 days. 

Courtesy: www.gov.za

View more

Mineral Resources and Energy on new bidders for the RMIPPP Programme

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announces the appointment of three additional preferred bidders under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement (RMIPPP) Programme following the completion of value for money negotiations, as indicated by the Minister during the announcement of the other 8 Preferred Bidders on 18th March 2021.

The additional Preferred Bidders announced by the Department are as follows:

Project NameEvaluation Price (ZAR)Contracted Capacity (MW)Location(Province)TechnologyJobs Years to be created for RSA Citizens
Scatec Kenhardt 21 884.6150.00Northern CapeSolar Photovoltaic and Battery StorageConstruction – 605 Operations – 1 051
Scatec Kenhardt 11 884.6450.00Northern CapeSolar Photovoltaic and Battery StorageConstruction – 605 Operations – 1 051
Scatec Kenhardt 31 884.5650.00Northern CapeSolar Photovoltaic and Battery StorageConstruction – 605 Operations – 1 051

The three additional preferred bidder projects will add a total of 150MW to the national grid, bringing the total megawatts procured under the RMIPPPP to 1995.76MW. These projects will be required to achieve Financial Close by the end of September 2021.

The RMIPPPP bid window was released to the market in August 2020, following the promulgation of the Ministerial Determination of 2 000MW, with concurrence from NERSA. The main objective of the bid window is to meet the supply gap indicated in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019), and reduce the extensive utilisation of expensive diesel-based peaking electrical generators in the medium to long term. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the RMIPPPP allowed for a portfolio approach whereby a developer could bid on a portfolio of facilities, which will constitute one project. This approach has attracted a combination of technologies and facilities at the same or different geographical locations.

Courtesy: www.gov.za

View more

Minister Gwede Mantashe: Mineral Resources and Energy Dept Budget Vote 2021/22 NCOP

20 May 2021

Address by the Honourable Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Samson Gwede Mantashe, MP on the Budget Vote 34 NCOP

Let me take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude that we are assembled here today to present the Budget Vote as allocated to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy for the 2021 – 2022 fiscal year.

We bring this budget vote here with full appreciation that both mining and energy have a direct impact on citizens located in Provinces. It is our objective that all mining and energy projects must benefit South Africans across the length and breadth of the country. Over a century, mining has been the bedrock of our economy and we believe that this sector will continue contributing immensely to the economy for years to come. The saying that “if it is not grown, it is mined” cannot be disputed. It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that the modern world would not be able to function without mined resources, but this needs to be supported by a stable and reliable energy supply, and this is our daily pre-occupation.

FIinancials

The business of the day is about the budget allocated to the Department, let me hasten to outline our budget allocation for this fiscal year. The main appropriation for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in the 2021/22 financial year is a total of R9.2 billion. Earmarked transfer payments to public entities, municipalities, and other implementing institutions account for R7.5 billion or 81.6% while the allocation for operational activities, inclusive of procurement of capital assets accounts for R1.7 billion or 18.4%.  A substantial portion of the transfer payments is allocated to implementing agencies as follows:

  • R4.8 billion to Eskom and Municipalities for the implementation of the Integrated National Electrification Programme (INEP). Eskom will receive R2.8 billion while R2 billion is allocated to various Municipalities.
  • R232.3 million to various service providers for the implementation of the Non-Grid electrification programme. 
  • R220.9 million to Municipalities for the Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management programme (EEDSM.)
     

Our public entities are budgeted to receive a combined allocation of R2.1 billion, with

  • NECSA allocated R952.5 million inclusive of R203.6 million for the decommissioning and decontamination of past strategic nuclear facilities and nuclear waste and R20 million for preparatory work for the new multipurpose reactor project.
  • Mintek – R439.2 million of which R120.2 million will be utilized for the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines.
  • Council for Geoscience – R377.1 million mainly for operational activities.
  • Petroleum Agency of South Africa – R136.3 million for operations.
  • SANEDI –R75.2 million for operational activities.
  • South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator – R62.03 million.
  • National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI) and the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) – R49.2 million and R46.1 million respectively for operations.

Comparative to the indicative allocation of R9.6 billion confirmed during the 2020 Budget, the 2021/22 main appropriation of R9.2 billion is 4.1% lower due to the implementation of budget reductions across government, particularly on the compensation of employees.

An allocation of R70 million in 2021/22 is earmarked for the development of the National Electrification Master Plan to assist with the implementation of the electrification programme.

Honorable Chairperson, with this budget we will be able to deliver on our programs as follows:

Creating an enabling environment through investor-friendly legislation

At the centre of our mandate is the responsibility to create an enabling environment for investments into both the mining and energy sectors. To this extent we have:

  1. Finalised the amendment the Gas Amendment Bill which was introduced to parliament on 30 April 2021. This Bill aims to unlock investment into the gas sector and facilitate the development of gas infrastructure. Parliament will be processing this Bill and we hope it will be enacted into law to unlock the investment potential into the gas resources sub-sector.
  2. Amended and gazette the blending requirements on biofuels to expand the definition to include 2nd and 3rd generation biofuels. We will finalise these regulations at the end of the consultation period two months from now.
  3. As part of our contribution to a just transition and ensuring that we reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, we have also gazetted the  Clean Fuels Regulations which aim to ensure a reduction of the sulphur content in standard grade diesel from 50 to 10 parts per million (ppm.). We will be finalizing and gazetting the final regulations by the end of the first quarter.
  4. As we seek to move towards cleaner fuels, we have also gazetted a draft LPG Strategy which seeks to address a suite of challenges prohibiting access and affordability of this energy source. This strategy will also be finalised by the end of the second quarter of this financial year.
  5. The Upstream Petroleum Bill has been approved by Cabinet and the process for its introduction to Parliament is underway. I will be gazetting the notice of intention to table the Bill in terms of the Joint Rules of Parliament after which I will table the Bill in Parliament. We look forward to the processing of this Bill in Parliament as it will unlock the potential for investments into both our on and offshore petroleum resources.
  6. Our team is hard at work with the Amendment of the Mine Health and Safety Act which seeks to address challenges relating to the health and safety of mineworkers.  We will publish this Bill for stakeholder comments in the third quarter of this financial year.
  7. The National Nuclear Regulator Amendment Bill has been approved by Cabinet and will be published for public comments. This Bill will be tabled in Parliament in the current financial year following the closure of the comments period.
  8. Work is at an advanced stage with the drafting of the Radioactive Waste Management Fund Bill which aims to enforce the polluter pays principle for all nuclear waste generators. We will be taking this Bill to the cabinet in the next quarter and publish it for stakeholder comments thereafter.
     

Security of energy supply

As government and its social partners work hard to revive and grow the economy, we are cognisant of the fact that energy security is the nucleus of this growth. Two days ago in the National Assembly, we gave a detailed breakdown of our efforts in this regard. Let me also share with this house details of the interventions we will be implementing in this fiscal year, over and above the projects, we implemented in 2020/21 to create the much-needed additional generation capacity.

Between August 2021 and January 2022, the Department will issue additional Requests for Proposals for,

  • 2 600 megawatts from renewable energy around August 2021.
  • 513 megawatts from Storage around August 2021.
  • 1 500 megawatts from Coal around December 2021.
  • 3 000 megawatts from Gas around December 2021.  
  • 1 600 megawatts from renewable energy around January 2022.
     

The Department intends to issue the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of two thousand five hundred megawatts (2 500MW) by the end of the current financial year, subject to regulatory approvals. This follows the twenty-five (25) submissions received in response to the Request for Information (RFI). The Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant 20-year extension project is also underway.

On mining application backlogs

It is our endeavour that we accelerate the processing of mining applications which in turn will contribute to local economic development. We intend on clearing the backlog and improving the turnaround time of applications with the new system. We continue to do our work albeit with difficulties. Between January 2021 and April 2021, we have issued 33 Prospecting Rights; 4 Mining Rights; and 7 Mining Permits.

Conclusion

Today’s presentation represents highlights of the work of my department, and not the totality thereof. Full details of our work are available and can be accessed in both the Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan. Since the advent of the current government administration, we have been preoccupied amongst others with the merger between the former Departments of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Following the implementation of the Start-Up-structure during 2020/21, the DMRE is now in the process of reviewing the current structure. That work should be finalised within 12 months. As it stands, we are better poised to move with greater speed in discharging our mandate as a unified Department.

I am confident that we will further the aims of our national transformation agenda as enjoined by the Constitution whose preamble speaks to healing the divisions of the past. As we expand our work both in the mineral resources and energy sectors, we will be mindful of the need not only to attain economic growth but, the redistribution of wealth.

As I conclude, I wish to express my appreciation for the opportunity to have this session about the future of mineral resources and energy sectors in our country.

Allow me to also thank the President, the Deputy President, my Cabinet colleagues, and the Select Committee for their continued support of the work of the department.

I thank you all honourable members for your presence here today and look forward to further engagement on this but most importantly the urgent implementation of all our scheduled programmes.

Lastly, I wish to thank my family for their unwavering support of my work. I thank the Director-General and “Team DMRE” who continue to work tirelessly and under difficult conditions to ensure that we deliver on our mandate.

I thank you!

Courtesy: www.gov.za

View more

Abnormal circumstances require urgent response

SAPVIA applauds the determination put forward by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe to mobilise the private sector to address the threats to energy security but cautions that there is no more time to waste.

Responding to the Budget Vote Speech of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) said that the private sector stands ready and able to act with pace to meet the rise in demand with a secure, sustainable energy supply. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association is a not-for-profit body which consists of active players in South Africa’s photovoltaic market.

“Stakeholders from across the renewables sector, and specifically solar PV, need only to be given the green light on bid window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), and they will invest and drive the infrastructure development we so desperately need,” said Niveshen Govender, COO SAPVIA.

“Stakeholders from across the renewables sector, and specifically solar PV, need only to be given the green light on bid window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), and they will invest and drive the infrastructure development we so desperately need,” said Niveshen Govender, COO SAPVIA.

“Solar PV represents the least costly and fastest to commercial operation of all energy sources and will address the Minister’s concerns that there is ‘insufficient time to bring in grid-scale generation options due to long lead times.”

Utility Scale Solar PV projects (eg. 75MW) take between 18-24 months from signing the PPA to commercial operation date (COD). This could even be achieved in 12 months given an enabling environment. On the other hand, SSEG projects (eg. 10MW) take 12 months on average and could be reduced to 6-8 months given an enabling environment.

“The urgency with which the Minister is treating the situation is welcomed, but this needs to be measured in actions rather than words,” added Govender.

“SAPVIA welcomes the proposed amendments to New Generation Capacity Regulations and would urge that the clarification for requirements from municipalities when they apply for Section 34 Determinations from the Department come sooner rather than later.”

“As a priority, the Minister must increase the current exemption from licencing from 1MW to 10MW for energy generation installations. We believe this is an arbitrary limit set as a policy decision and has no technical basis, and by raising it private sector operators will be able to step into the gap and deliver much-needed supply quickly and with minimal upgrades to a large number of substations, or nodes on the distribution network.”

SAPVIA was at the forefront of calling for the IPP projects signed under bid window 4 to resume construction and we are pleased to have worked closely with the government to ensure that these projects can continue safely towards the commercial operation.

“There really is no time to waste if we are to address the threats to energy security and while SAPVIA understands the Minister’s calls for a coordinated and integrated approach to energy planning and coherent policymaking, we firmly believe that we have already laid the foundations with IRP 2019.”

“There is no need to go back to the drawing board, we must simply allow players in the renewables sector to implement new generation capacity and get bid window 5 of the REIPPPP underway,” ends Govender.

View more