Mineral Resources Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report

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Mineral Resources and Energy

17 October 2018
Chairperson: Mr S Luzipho (ANC)
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Meeting Summary

2018 Budget Review & Recommendations Reports – BRRR

The Committee discussed and approved its report (with amendments) on the Mineral Resources Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report.

The Committee focused on the Observations ad Recommendations sections in the report.

Members highlighted that women are an integral part of the mining industry and should also occupy decision making positions in the space. They indicated that the Department should develop a strategy to address this.

Further, the Committee agreed to invite the Minster of Mineral Resources to look at the recommendations and have a tracking mechanism to asses and evaluate compliance with time frames that are stated in the report.

Meeting report

The Chairperson announced the passing of the struggle veteran Mr Eric Msthali. He informed the Committee that the funeral will be on Sunday, 21 October, and has been designated as an official funeral category 1.

The Chairperson welcomed everyone and stated the agenda for the meeting: there would be a review of the Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR) and adoption of previous meeting minutes.

Mr N Mandela (ANC) suggested that the Committee should focus on the recommendations from page 18 of the report.

Ms H Nyambi (ANC) seconded the suggestion.  

Mineral Resources Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR)

The Chairperson went through the 2016/17 BRRR and asked Members to give their input.

Ms Y Yako (EFF) stated that the comprehensive plan on women in mining should not only be about equipment for women on the ground but also empower women to be in decision making spaces of mining.

Mr I Pikinini (ANC) stated that there was a strategy that the Committee developed that dealt with issues of women in mining. In addition, he suggested that the Committee should be strong about issues of women in mining.

 

The Chairperson responded that the strategy was for safety and equipment reasons. This came about because there was a woman who was raped and killed underground, but it was not addressing the issue of women in decision making spaces in mining. 

The Chairperson stated that the Department should provide a strategy together in relation to this. He added that the Department should state to what extent does it looks at the women as an integral part of mining and in occupying strategic positions in the industry.

The Chairperson suggested that the Committee put an observation that deals with women in mining.

Ms Yako stated that the Mining Phakisa should not only be mere words in terms of the oceans economy and maritime space and also should happen sooner so that it benefits those that it is intended to benefit.

The Chairperson responded that the Mining Phakisa is driven from the Presidency. Every time it is needed it should be declared from the Presidency. Contrary to the oceans economy or ocean Phakisa, the Mining Phakisa was not launched by the Presidency.

Ms Yako stated that she finds it patronising to talk about gender profile just for the sake of mentioning it; it is something that needs to be pushed further.

The Chairperson responded that looking at the structure of the CGS, at face value, it is difficult to accept that a public entity is disempowered in terms of women, as no one could account that they could not find women for executive positions. On the previous visit to CGS in 2014 there were no women in the top management. As such there should be an understanding on skills based, i.e. looking at the deployment of skills as well. 

Committee’s observations

Chairperson went through the Committee’s observations on page 20 of the report and invited the committee to comment.

Discussion

The Chairperson stated that some of the observations are stepping on other committees and this may lead to conflicts, referring to section 7 bullet point 14 on page 21. He further compared the Department’s budget to other departments.

The Chairperson, referring the Committee to bullet point 1 on page 21, stated that there must be a mechanism of accountability i.e. consequence management.

Ms Yako further emphasised the issue of women in mining, stating that she was of the opinion that when this matter is dicsussed she was not expecting a discussion on equipment but empowerment strategy.

Recommendations

The Chairperson went through the Recommendation on page 21 of the report and invited the committee to comment.

Discussion

Mr J Lorimer (DA) asked what would happen if the Department does not deliver what it is supposed to deliver.

Mr Mandela asked Mr Lorimer to give recommendations and Mr M Matlala concurred.

Mr Lorimer suggested the Committee invite the Minster of Mineral Resources to look at the recommendations.

Mr Mandela seconded Mr Lorimer.

The Chairperson suggested that the Committee have a tracking mechanism to asses and evaluate compliance with time frames that are stated in the report.

Mr Pikinini suggested that the report be adopted with amendments.

This was seconded by Ms Nyambi.

The report was accordingly endorsed by the Committee.

Adoption of Outstanding Minutes

The Chairperson tabled the minutes for consideration.

Mr Matlala suggested that meeting minutes of 9 October 2018 be adopted ad was seconded by Mr Pikinini as a true reflection on the discussion.

Mr Pikinini suggested that meeting minutes of10 October 2018 to be adopted with corrections and was seconded by Ms Nyambi.

Matters arising

The Chairperson stated that it came to his attention that MINTEK spent R3.5 million on human settlement, despite their clean audit according to the report.

Adv H Schmidt (DA) stated that while an entity may have a clean audit that does not necessarily mean that they do their work properly.

The Chairperson asked if he can write to MINTEK to inquire about the matter for clarity.

The meeting was adjourned. 

 

 

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