South African Miners Say Being Unduly Pressured Over Licenses
- Empowerment dispute between chamber, government in court
- Chamber questions the imposition of stoppage notices
The Chamber of Mines of South Africa said it wants a probe into reports that mines are receiving notices from the government suspending operations because they don’t meet black ownership requirements. Those regulations are due to be ruled on by a court.
This week the High Court in Pretoria began hearing a case lodged by the Chamber, which represents companies including Glencore Plc, against the Department of Mineral Resources. The judge is being asked to rule on the legality of a requirement added by the DMR to the mutually agreed mining charter in 2010 that requires mine assets to be at least 26 percent black-owned at all times even when black investors sell their stakes is legal. The Chamber also said safety stoppages are being issued improperly.