Deputy Speaker, chairperson of the portfolio committee, members of the portfolio committee, Ministers present, Members of Parliament, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources. Comrade Godfrey Oliphant, you are welcome in the department. I'm looking forward to working with you. [Applause.]
It gives me pleasure to introduce the Geoscience Amendment Bill. The amendments are in response to the challenges that the country is facing, which include, amongst other things, the need to ensure that infrastructure development, especially on land underlain by dolomite, takes place in a sustainable manner. Such land is prone to sinkhole formation, which often destroys infrastructure. An example of such a situation is the Khutsong township in Merafong, where sinkholes have destroyed property and as a result government is faced with the situation of relocating people at huge costs.
It also makes South Africa the most globally attractive country for mineral exploration. I am certain that our mineral industry has and will have tremendous potential for a host of new and exciting mineral discoveries, which will continue to play a major role in eradicating poverty, creating jobs and improving the welfare and equality of people of South Africa.
This Bill directly addresses the renewed push to increase investment in mineral exploration by mandating the Council for Geoscience to proactively participate in attracting investment into the exploration sector through the production of key geoscience exploration information and data assessment and interpretation. Therefore it will increase the role of mining in development.
The main objectives of the Bill are to make provision for the following: the Council for Geoscience to be a national advisory authority with regard to geohazards that are related to infrastructure and development; empowering the Council for Geoscience to be the custodian of all geotechnical data with the purpose of compiling a complete geotechnical risk profile; putting mechanisms in place to address the problems associated with infrastructure and development on dolomitic land; empowering the Council for Geoscience in the management and administration of the national seismic network; enabling the Council for Geoscience to execute its functions and responsibilities in promoting investment in the mining industry through its research activities; enhancing administrative processes of the Council for Geoscience to ensure effective implementation of the proposed amendments; addressing references to legislation that is obsolete in the Geoscience Act; and aligning the Geoscience Act with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act.
Between December 2008 and September 2009 the Department of Mineral Resources conducted consultations with various stakeholders, including government. As stated earlier, the threat posed by dolomite-related sinkholes has affected major human settlements such as Khutsong, Katlehong and Tshwane, as well as major national infrastructure.
The dolomite rocks underlie major portions of at least four provinces, and a potent risk of sinkhole development exists in the country.
It is for this government to address these infrastructure development challenges that could be associated with building on potential geohazardous land. It is government's understanding that, in order to address all the challenges associated with dolomite, it is necessary that the Council for Geoscience takes the lead in the research on and monitoring of the impact of development on land covered with dolomite.
The council will further advise all local government, provincial and national state authorities when assessing applications for infrastructure and development.
In conclusion, the necessity for these amendments cannot be overemphasised. It will only be to the benefit of the country to have a geological institution that serves and is responsive to the increasing needs of its people. I thank you. [Applause.]