Nov. 3 (Bloomberg) -- South Africa’s mining industry has missed targets established in 2004 legislation aimed at helping the industry make amends for apartheid which disenfranchised black people, the country’s mines minister said.

“Most of the companies have not met the targets” on the employment of black people and women, which should have been met by April, Minister Susan Shabangu said in a speech in Johannesburg today. The industry has “not lived up to the spirit and intent of the charter” and some have token black partners, she said.

South Africa’s Chamber of Mines, the largest industry body, “feels we’ve been unfair,” she told members of the group.

The country’s ruling African National Congress party passed laws five years ago compelling mining companies to sell 15 percent of their assets to black investors by 2009, to employ more black people in senior positions, and to buy more goods and services from black-owned companies. The laws formed part of a so-called Mining Charter accord between industry and government.

The mining industry is “committed to transformation,” Sipho Nkosi, president of the Chamber of Mines and chief executive officer of Exxaro Resources Ltd., said in a speech at the same event. Chamber members include local units of BHP Billiton Ltd., Xstrata Plc, as well as Anglo American Plc and Rio Tinto Ltd.

South Africa doesn’t have any “immediate plans” to take over private mines, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe told members of the Chamber of Mines yesterday. Julius Malema, the leader of the ruling party’s youth wing said the country’s mines will be nationalized, the South African Press Association reported Oct. 8.

To contact the reporters on this story: Carli Lourens in Johannesburg at clourens@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 3, 2009 08:36 EST