Wednesday, 6th July 2005 (4133 views)

The new South African minerals and energy minister has said that the development of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and the domestic beneficiation industry will be at the top of her agenda.

In a speech at a diamond cutting plant owned by De Beers opening near Pretoria, Lindiwe Hendriks outlined her plans for capitalising on the country's vast natural resources, Mineweb reports.

Predicting that both the Diamond Amendment Bill and the Precious Metals Beneficiation Bill would be completed by the year-end, the minister said the legislation is designed to boost jewellery production within the country.

"You must take advantage of all the raw materials in South Africa," she declared.

Ms Hendriks added that the government would be seeking to continue the BEE advances already made: "BEE guidelines for empowerment in the precious metals and diamond beneficiation industries will be in place."

One idea Ms Hendriks touched on during her speech was the potential for establishing a free trade zone at the Johannesburg International Airport.

Ms Hendriks replaced former minerals and energy minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuk, who was named as South Africa's new deputy president following the dismissal of Jacob Zuma.

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka helped steer through the initial implementation of the Black Economic Empowerment process, with the gold industry one of the key sectors affected by the new guidelines.

 

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