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The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Post-mining strategy seen as key to economic revival
Expert calls for post-mining strategy as global investment interest in South Africa's mining sector continues to fall. It is time for South Africa to develop a post-mining economic activities strategy, as the sector's international investment attractiveness is declining. This is the view of mining expert David van Wyk, who was reacting to the latest annual survey of mining companies from the authoritative Canadian Fraser Institute, stating that out of 82 investable mining jurisdictions, the country is rated at 68. The attractiveness index is a combination of perceptions of mineral potential, where the region's geology encourages exploration investment and perceptions of mining policy. Expert calls for post-mining strategy The report stated that investors were concerned about the country's political stability, socioeconomic agreements and its geological database. Be that as it may, Van Wyk believes that the country's mining policies did not cause the decline. ALSO READ: How SA's old coal mines can offer hope for dying towns He said the focus should be on developing the post-mining economic activities that would grow the economy. 'We need to repurpose and reengineer the mines for post-mining economic activities,' he said. 'Minerals are not renewable; mining is therefore not sustainable. We should be looking at planning towards diversification and the evolution of a post-mining economy.' Mining not sustainable Van Wyk said some of the biggest mining firms had registered huge profits because mining was not sustainable. He said the country's mining police was not the main thing driving potential investors away. ALSO READ: Court denies plea to pardon state capture accused 'As large-scale mining goes into decline because minerals are not renewable and mining is not sustainable, the country will have to make an orderly and just transition into small and medium-scale mining, including artisanal mining,' he said. However, DA spokesperson on mineral and petroleum resources James Lorimer shared the same view as the study and said the current mining policy was not creating a favourable condition for the investors. Lorimer said despite the mining investors' negative perception, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe continues with his plans to introduce an amendment Bill that is unpopular with mining companies. Current policy not creating favourable investors 'He is also spending a great deal of time talking about his critical mineral's strategy, which is wordy but largely meaningless,' said Lorimer. 'The DA will be submitting public comments on the draft mineral resource amendment to fight back against over-regulation, excessive ministerial power and disastrous B-BBEE [broad-based black economic empowerment] regulation. ALSO READ: Hundreds to lose jobs in KZN as Motsepe-linked Assmang shuts down plant 'The annual survey shows how investment into South African mining is hampered by ANC mining policy. Mining is in a recession, which looks to be getting worse. That means the loss of jobs and declining revenues for the cash-strapped fiscus. Mining tax payments halved last year.' Lorimer said South Africa needed investment-friendly mining legislation and regulation that would involve a wholesale rewriting of mining law and the abolishment of the effect of B-BBEE on the sector, to facilitate investment in the sector. Need for international investors National Association of Artisanal Miners spokesperson Zethu Hlatshwayo said as there was a need for international investors, it was also essential to give local mining companies a chance to venture into the industry. Hlatshwayo said small-scale miners could play a vital role in growing the country's economy.
NZ Herald
16-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Apiculture New Zealand: Beekeeper advocacy group comes under pressure
ApiNZ chief executive Karin Koss said it was 'tough times' for the sector at present. 'We have seen, obviously, the industry contract from close to one million hives to now just sitting at 500,000,' she said. 'So there have been some dramatic shifts in our industry, and that has had an effect on ApiNZ. 'We've seen our income fall year after year as well.' Koss said a potential dissolution of the group was tabled in March, but members voted 'overwhelmingly' for it to find a way through. ApiNZ received $150,000 from the Honey Industry Trust towards the new project to 'regenerate apiculture leadership'. 'Our members have asked us to re-look at a model, find a way to see if there is some sustainable funding, industry-good organisation models that we could come up with. 'And that's exactly what we've set out to do.' She said it was asking members to reconsider its future in light of the project, and they would cast their votes at its annual general meeting in Christchurch on Thursday. Jane Lorimer, president of NZ Beekeeping Incorporated, said the industry was divided into various advocacy and support groups nationally and regionally. Honey exports earned $420 million in the year to June. Photo / RNZ, Sally Round The needs of beekeepers, many of whom were struggling with hive losses due to bee health challenges like varroa mite and American Foulbrood, were being overlooked, under the current advocacy model, she said. She said it met with groups across the spectrum recently to address the issue. 'The problem with Apiculture New Zealand is that it ended up having marketers in the same room as producers, and our needs are quite different,' Lorimer said. 'Last year, all that we all we were hearing from beekeepers was, 'want to be heard'. 'There's not been the communication going back to the beekeepers who are, of course, the backbone of our industry.' Keepers were facing a number of fees and levies within the sector, and to export honey, with many now working below the cost of production, she said. Also a life member of ApiNZ, Lorimer said, while the sector had not been united in the past, it was being explored. 'We see that we really do need to work together in a process for the good of the industry and work as a single unit towards a united industry,' Lorimer said. NZ Beekeepers Incorporated was voluntarily funded by members, she said. ApiNZ chairman Nathan Guy said on social media that it recognised a new model of leadership and representation was needed. 'For various reasons, some have felt that existing bodies do not meet their needs,' he said in a Facebook post. 'However, ApiNZ believes many of these operators would be open to supporting a representative body that delivers meaningful value.' Honey exports earned $420 million in the year to June, largely to the main importer, the United States, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries' Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report. Meanwhile, the responsibility of enforcing the pest management plan for the devastating bacterial disease American Foulbrood was transferred from ApiNZ late last month to the New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity charitable Trust (formerly the AFB Management Agency board), which already collects levies. Koss said it was supportive of the move. - RNZ
Daily Record
23-04-2025
- Daily Record
Road rage driver assaulted dad in Wishaw after striking windscreen of car with child onboard
Kristopher Lorimer punched and kicked the victim at Tesco in Belhaven Road A truck driver who attacked a motorist has been banned from the road for 18 months. Kristopher Lorimer must also do 300 hours of unpaid work and will be confined to his home each night under a 12-month electronic tagging order. Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that he followed the other driver for two miles after being annoyed by him switching lanes. Missiles were thrown at the frightened dad's car before Lorimer punched and kicked him at Tesco in Belhaven Road, Wishaw. Lorimer, 38, of The Broadway, Craigneuk, admitted driving dangerously and acting in a threatening or abusive manner on July 11, 2023, assaulting the man and driving while over the drink limit. Scott O'Connor, prosecuting, said the incident began in Airbles Road, Motherwell, shortly before 3pm when the Ford Focus driver, who was with his 12-year-old son, changed lanes. This annoyed Lorimer who was in a Nissan truck behind him. He sounded his horn and the other man gestured in apology, but that didn't satisfy Lorimer. Mr O'Connor told the court: "The accused pulled alongside and started shouting and swearing at him. "The Focus driver apologised again and they both continued driving. The man's son then saw three items being thrown from the accused's vehicle. These, including a metal implement, made contact with the Focus." It was accepted that these were thrown by a passenger in Lorimer's truck. Mr O'Connor added: "The Focus driver stopped in a build-up of traffic at Caledonian Retail Park in Wishaw. The accused got out of his vehicle and struck the car's windscreen with a metal implement." The car driver phoned the police and went to Tesco in Belhaven Road, but Lorimer followed him. At the store entrance Lorimer punched and kicked him and there was a struggle before Lorimer left, taking the other man's phone which had fallen out of his pocket. Police officers found the victim and his son in a "distressed" state but the man didn't require medical treatment. Officers traced Lorimer later that day. His speech was slurred and he smelled strongly of alcohol. The court heard dad of three Lorimer works as a scaffolder and had kept out of trouble since this incident. Sheriff John Speir placed him under social work supervision for a year and ordered him to pay the other driver £750 in compensation. And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
