Chair, hon Minister, hon members and members of the department who are here, we, as the ANC, are happy with the budget allocation for Mineral Resources. We are happy that the department has identified community upliftment as one of its key priority areas over the medium term. Pursuant to this, the department has identified small-scale mining as a prospective tool to uplift poor communities and developed a draft small-scale mining strategy intended for implementation in the current financial year.
We are convinced that this initiative will contribute to rural development, which is one of the five priorities identified by the President in his state of the nation address. We are, however, concerned about the current state of ownership in the mining sector.
The mining charter that was adopted in 2004 set a target of 15% for historically disadvantaged South Africans' participation in terms of ownership within five years. The charter also stipulates the plan for the development of the mining community as a prerequisite for the granting of a mining licence. We therefore urge government to ensure that the mining companies are adhering to the mining charter. [Interjections.]
Just wait! I'm coming, don't worry or I'll leave you. [Laughter.]