NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVICES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 131
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 march 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 07)
131. Ms S S Chen (DA-Gauteng) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) What is the remaining economic lifespan of the diamond deposits
within the concessions being mined and/or to be mined by a
certain company (name furnished) from Port Nolloth to Alexander
Bay;
(2) whether any plans are being formulated to mitigate the impact
upon the local communities when the mine finally ceases
operations; if not, why not; if so, (a) what plans and (b) what
are the further relevant details;
(3) whether such plans include opening up the mining concessions
currently being mined by the said company to small scale mining
operators; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of such
small scale mining operation? CW158E
Reply
(1) The Department of Mineral Resources doe not have any records of
the remaining economic lifespan of diamond deposits within
concession being mined and/or to be mined from Port Nolloth to
Alexander Bay.
2) The Department of Mineral Resources has not received any notice
regarding the cessation of mining operations within the said
concessions
3) It is not known whether Alexkor is going to involve small scale
mining operators within any of the relevant
concessions.
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