Hon Chairperson, hon Minister Shabangu, hon Deputy Minister Oliphant, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers present here, hon members, esteemed guests, ladies and gentlemen, the importance of this industry and its strategic contribution to the economy cannot be overemphasised. At its 52nd conference in Polokwane, the ANC resolved that:
The state must ensure that our national resource endowments, including land, water, minerals and marine resources, are exploited to effectively maximise the growth and development and employment potential embedded in such national assets and not purely for profit maximisation.
South Africa is a treasure trove with an abundance of resources, and the state is the custodian of all her mineral resources. There is no doubt about that. Diamond and gold production may well be down from their peak now, but South Africa is still ranked fifth in gold production. It is the world's largest producer of chrome, manganese, platinum, vanadium and vermiculite. This country is the second largest producer of ilmenite, palladium, rutile and zirconium. It is also the third largest exporter of coal, having overtaken India, to become the world's third biggest iron ore supplier to China, which is the largest consumer of iron ore. The picture that I paint tells us all that despite all the world's economic glitches and fluctuations, South Africa remains a cornucopia of mineral riches. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
In his 2012 state of the nation address, President Jacob Zuma said:
We remain committed to the creation of a favourable and globally competitive mining sector and to promote the industry to attract investment and achieve both industrial growth and much needed transformation.
I know that the concept of transformation does not go down well with other people. [Interjections.] Augmenting that statement is the reality that a well above average resource base, fair economic and physical infrastructure and high levels of expertise are some of the factors that allow this industry to flourish - say no if I am telling lies - thanks to all involved entities and their leadership. [Interjections.] Mintek and the Council for Geoscience, CGS, should be fairly funded, Minister, for their research and geotechnical responsibilities that support this industry. [Interjections.]
HON MEMBERS: Hear, hear!