Chairperson and hon members, the National Environmental Management Amendment Bill constitutes framework legislation for the fulfilment of responsibilities contained in section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and I quote:
Everyone has the right -
a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing; and b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations ...
The ACDP is delighted that what started out as a major concern in the mining industry in 2006 over unwarranted delays in the processing of environmental impact assessments, or EIAs, has now at last been resolved.
The National Environmental Management Amendment Bill created such a hullabaloo mainly because it attempts to resolve one of South Africa's leading "green" problems, which is mitigating the impact of prospecting and mining, particularly in highly sensitive areas such as wetlands. We have this Bill today as the result of an agreement between the Minister of Minerals and Energy and the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on the subject of which department is to be responsible for mining- related environmental issues.
Also, an agreement was reached that the wording of the National Environmental Management Act, Nema, and other related environmental legislation was to be likewise amended as far as it was linked to mining and exploration issues in the same context.
Furthermore, the ACDP is pleased that both Ministers have at last agreed that there should be one environmental management system and that this system should be prescribed by the environmental authority. The Minister of Minerals and Energy had an existing mandate in terms of environmental management for mining and this must be retained, and the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism was the custodian of the environment and must be enabled to fulfil this function, also in terms of mining.
The ACDP is fully satisfied that this Bill addresses the issues of the main problems facing this industry and we support this Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]