Bolivia and Chile are confronted with socio-economic challenges that are similar to those faced by South Africa but have used the state-owned mining companies to tackle issues of poverty and unemployment. Currently, the South African mining industry is largely privately-owned with Alexkor and African Exploration, Mining and Finance Corporation (AEMFC) as the only state-owned mining company. South Africa is exploring various possibilities that will contribute positively towards achieving the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of halving poverty and unemployment by 2015. The Committee believes therefore that an international perspective is critical, particularly because of high poverty level that is juxtaposed with the country's endowment in mineral resources.