Hon Speaker, hon Ministers, hon Deputy Ministers, hon members and our visitors in the gallery, the ANC's position on environmental issues has been consistent and is reflected in the RDP document.
It is this vision that has informed the various policies, programmes and actions of the ANC-led government since 1994. The ANC vision therefore sought to embrace a transformative environmentalism based upon the idea of sustainable development which is built upon the interconnection of environmental, social and economic justice.
The ANC ensured environmental rights were firmly entrenched in our SA Constitution so that both individuals and communities are able to defend their rights to a safe and sound environment.
This constitutional base has provided and still provides the framework and orientation for a variety of laws, including those we are debating today. The environmental impact of mining, worldwide, includes erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity and chemical contamination of soil, ground water and surface water.
Some mining methods may have significant environmental and public health effects. In urbanised environments, mining may produce noise pollution, dust pollution and visual pollution; whilst in rural areas the environmental impact of mining could be the destruction and disturbance of ecosystems and habitats, as well as disturbance or destruction of productive grazing and croplands. The 2012 ANC State Intervention in the Mineral Sector report clearly states that although mining should create safe and decent work, mineral extraction should not compromise local communities or the environment.
Acceptance of the Integrated Environmental Management, IEM, principles, embodied in the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998, brought mining legislation closer to the ambit of the other environmental planning legislation to control activities that could potentially have a negative impact on the environment.
Specific obligations were placed on the then Department of Minerals and Energy to ensure harmonisation of environmental policies, plans and programmes. However, it became clear that amendments to the existing legislation were required, which led to an agreement being reached between the relevant departments in 2013 to introduce new ways of dealing with the matter.
It was agreed that all the aspects related to the environment would be regulated through one system under the environmental legislation; that the Minister responsible for water and the environment will set the environmental regulatory framework, norms and standards; whilst the Minister responsible for mineral resources will implement the provisions of the National Environmental Management Act and the subordinate legislation as far as it relates to mining activities.
The two portfolio committees jointly met to align all existing and subordinate legislation in the form of regulations and amendments thereto, to give effect to the 2013 agreement between the three departments.
It was then resolved to convert the agreements into legislative amendments to the current legislation being administered by the three departments; and to integrate and align all three timeframes and procedures in the different pieces of legislation and their regulatory frameworks.
This will apply to environmental laws in mining areas in a well-co- ordinated, structured and synchronised manner and will give effect to the one environmental system approach.
Technical amendments to the relevant sections of the National Water Act seek to achieve the alignment and synchronisation of timeframes and steps for the processing of water-use licences; environmental authorisation licences under the specific environmental management Acts; and other licences, permits, and rights in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
Section 50A of the National Water Amendment Bill identifies the manner in which future amendments of matters related to the agreement must be made; requires that there is concurrence between the relevant Ministers on the proposed amendments to the Act; and that the amendments must be tabled to allow Parliament to express its views on the proposed amendments.
One of the important, if not most important, impacts of the amendments is that there will be joint initiatives by the departments which include, but are not limited to, participation in the interdepartmental implementation committee on integrating the licensing systems, alignment in the drafting of legislation, and joint inspections for compliance monitoring on the National Water Act, the Mineral and Petroleum Development Act and the National Environmental Management Act.
This piece of legislation is further proof that the ANC will continue to influence the latest progressive ideas and policies on how best to improve the human conditions of our people, as well as ensuring the sustainability of the environment while supporting economic development.
The ANC supports this amending Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]