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Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (Act No. 53 of 2003)

Codes of Good Practice on Black Economic Empowerment

Mining Sector Charter

Amendment of the Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry

2. Elements of the Mining Charter

2.8 Sustainable Development and Growth of the Mining Industry

 

 

Mineral resources are non-renewable in nature, forthwith exploitation of such resources must emphasise the importance of balancing concomitant economic benefits with social and environmental needs without compromising future generations, in line with Constitutional provisions for ecological, sustainable development and use of natural resources. To this end, with consideration to clause 2.9, every mining company must implement elements of sustainable development commitments included in the "Stakeholders' Declaration on Strategy for the sustainable growth and meaningful transformation of South Africa's Mining Industry of 30 June 2010 and in compliance with all relevant legislation", as follows:

 

• Improvement of the industry's environmental management by:

 

o Implementing environmental management systems that focus on continuous improvement to review, prevent, mitigate adverse environmental impact;

 

o Undertake continuous rehabilitation on land disturbed or occupied by mining operations in accordance with appropriate regulatory commitments;

 

o Provide for the save storage and disposal of residual waste and process residues;

 

o Design and plan all operations so that adequate resources are available to meet the closure requirements of all operations.

 

• Improvement of the industry's health and safety performance by:

 

o Implementing a management systems focused on continuous improvement of all aspects of operations that have a significant impact on the health and safety of employees, contractors and communities where mining takes place;

 

o Providing all employees with health and safety training and require employees of contractors to have undergone such training;

 

o Implement regular health surveillance and risk-based monitoring of employees.

 

• Stakeholders undertake to enhance the capacity and skills in relevant South African research and development facilities in order to ensure quality, quick turn around, cost effectiveness and integrity of such facilities. To this extent, mining companies are required to utilise South African based facilities for the analysis of samples across the mining value chain.