Chairperson, I'd like to thank the members for supporting this Budget Vote, even if it has not been split into two departments. We hope working together will make us work much better to ensure that there are benefits to communities.
To respond to some of the issues: the issue raised by Mr Lucas around illegal mining has been responded to. We are seized with those matters and we'll continue to make sure that we address them. The issue of beneficiation will be brought to the committee. We hope members of the committee will be able to make their inputs to enrich the document so as to make sure that it benefits and reflects the various constituencies in order to address the needs of our people in South Africa.
Regarding the issue of skills development and people leaving, raised by Mr Schmidt, the industry is not stifled. No goose thrown out or killed. It is the same story that I heard in 1997 that said that we are killing this goose, which is the mining industry. Instead I see more enthusiasm in this area. There is a lot of potential, but the challenge is how we address these issues.
Mr Schmidt also raised the issue of fatalities in the mining industry, and there is no way we can compare fatalities and capital. People are people; human beings are human beings and we've got to respect life. We'll continue to regulate it in a way that respects people's lives. We can't afford to have an industry that is negligent and increases the death rate. It is unacceptable and being irresponsible. One of our responsibilities as a regulator is to make sure that we do the right thing and that is to regulate in a responsible way. If it is tight, hard luck, we have to protect lives. We have a responsibility to do that.
In addition, Mr Schmidt raised the issue around the whole issue of privatisation and state-owned mines currently being in crisis. We are in a mess because of private businesses. Maybe if all the states took responsibility, there wouldn't be an economic crisis in the world. [Interjections.] You can say that is rubbish. It is the banks in the United States of America which led us into this mess. Maybe we must assume our responsibility as the state. [Applause.]
The issue raised by Mr Marais regarding the application for the tungsten mine is fairly new. We need to be patient because it was only received in March. Definitely the issues you raised are going to be taken on board and it is clear that it is an area that is highly challenged and we'll have to address those issues. There is no way in which we cannot address those issues. So, if it's clear that we cannot find a way of working compatibly, they will still have to exist. My point is that environment and mining are related, they cannot be enemies, and we have to make sure that they live together if we are to be a successful country.
The issues raised around Limpopo have been brought to my attention. We are going to look at those issues, because we want to make sure that this country mines better and smarter in order to leave this country intact for future generations. We must not destroy this country through mining, as was the case in the past. We can't go the same route. We must be responsible.
I agree that communities are a priority. No mining will happen without consulting them. I also want to say, whoever has an interest in this industry should not ride roughshod over communities. We are there to ensure that communities are protected. They have a responsibility. We all have to respond fairly and responsibly. That's the nature of the game we'll have to play. If someone feels that he can't comply with the name of the game, he must forget about coming into this industry. Such people do not belong in this industry and must go somewhere else. Thank you, Chair. [Applause.]