Beneficiation demands partnership approach

The debate around beneficiation and the impact on South African mining exports should be seen in context, warned Roger Baxter of the Chamber of Mines. “The critical issue is both at upstream and downstream level,” he said. “There are very few countries in the world that don’t have a local procurement regulation of some sort and encouraging local procurement is not wrong.” Baxter maintained that South Africa had all the right in the world to do so, but like other experts, warned that it had to be done carefully so as not to negatively affect mining. He said what was more important to him in the beneficiation debate was South Africa’s actual ability to add value to raw minerals locally. “Taking the raw mineral and actually fabricating steel for example is something completely different and there are serious questions to be raised around the actual feasibility of it,” he said. “The South African government is taking a very pragmatic approach about it all and is trying to establish how they can develop a more vibrant manufacturing sector.” He said that in itself was not wrong and Africa as a continent needed to look at similar structures and ideas to improve manufacturing. “What is, however, critical in it all is that partnerships are established between the government and the private sector where robust discussions can take place and where all stakeholders benefit. At the same time discussion can be held around infrastructure and how to deliver it. “In the energy and rail sectors for instance, the global trend is private concessioning, something that would benefit Africa greatly." INSERT & CAPTION Partnerships must be established between the government and the private sector where robust discussions can take place and where all stakeholders benefit. – Roger Baxter