DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 391
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 22 October 2010
391. Mrs E C van Lingen (DA-EC) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Whether Alexkor plays any role in the allocation of all concessions for
diamond mining, including (a) land and (b) shallow water in the
Richtersveld; if so, (i) how is the Richtersveld community represented in
the process, (ii) who represents Alexkor in the process of allocating
concessions, (iii) in what capacity is Alexkor represented and (iv) which
functions are executed by Alexkorâs representative(s);
(2) whether the Pool Sharing and Joint Venture play any role in the
allocation of mining concessions; if not, what is the position in this
regard; if so, (a) what role and (b) who represents the Pool Sharing and
Joint Venture? CW497E
REPLY
(1) (a-b)(i-iv) The Department of Mineral Resources is responsible for the
allocation of diamond concessions. Alexkor does not play any role in the
allocation of concessions for diamond mining in the Richtersveld.
Currently Alexkor holds various land, shallow water, mid-sea and deep sea
mining concessions. The land mining rights are in the process of being
transferred to the Richtersveld Mining Company.
Alexkor is involved in the awarding of contracts to mine the Alexkor
concessions. Alexkor recently went through a process of awarding new
contracts to mine the shallow water, middle water, deep sea areas, beach
areas and the land area. This process was conducted in consultation with
the Richtersveld Property Association (CPA). The CPA representatives were
invited to be part of the process but they declined as they felt that they
might be conflicted. The allocation of contracts was done by the Tender
Committee of the Alexkor Board. The Tender Committee consists of Alexkor
Board Members:
⢠Mr. C Towell (Chairperson of the Tender Committee)
⢠Mr. R Muzariri (Chairperson Alexkor Board)
⢠Dr. R Paul (Alexkor Board Member)
⢠Ms. K McClain (Alexkor CEO)
(2)(a-b) The Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (PSJV) becomes effective
when Alexkorâs land mining rights are transferred to the Richtersveld
Mining Company (RMC). The PSJV is currently in a preliminary establishment
phase. Alexkor and the RMC have each appointed three members to the Joint
Board of the PSJV, who are authorised to represent each party in respect of
all matters relating to the pooled operations. The contract process was
conducted in consultation with the Joint Board.