South Africa’s Chamber of Mines said on Tuesday that it is deeply concerned over media speculation that the proposed new beneficiation law will force mines to add value to their output.
Speculative reports are linked to the publication last Friday of the draft Precious Metals and Diamonds General Amendment Bill.
However, examination of the Bill, which seeks to promote local beneficiation by liberalising access to precious metals and diamonds — a concept that is fully supported by the Chamber of Mines — reveals no intention to compel mining companies to move downstream and beneficiate their products, the Chamber of Mines said.
The Chamber of Mines supports the beneficiation of South Africa’s primary mineral products, it added.
However, the Chamber of Mines firmly believes that this will best be accomplished by the creation of an environment that encourages investment by manufacturing or fabrication companies that have the skills and competencies to add value to precious metals and diamonds. — I-Net Bridge