House Chairperson, the ACDP notes that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Budget Vote of R2.856 billion, comes at a critical time for South Africa’s economy, with low, jobless GDP growth. Our nation is richly endowed with mineral wealth, yet the sector continues to underperform due to regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure failures, illegal mining, weak enforcement capacity, and insufficient beneficiation.
Mining remains central to exports, investment, and employment, but South Africa is losing competitiveness to other mining jurisdictions because investors require certainty, efficiency, and transparency. Delays in mining rights approvals, inconsistent policy implementation, threats of litigation, and regulatory backlogs continue to discourage exploration and long-term investment.
The ACDP has raised its concern about the escalating crisis of illegal mining. Criminal syndicates are undermining lawful operations, destroying infrastructure, threatening communities, and depriving the state of billions in lost revenue. This cannot continue unchecked.
At the same time, mining communities too often remain trapped in poverty while wealth is extracted from their regions. The ACDP posits that transformation must deliver meaningful participation and real economic opportunities for all South Africans.
Honourable House Chairperson, the ACDP calls for a revision of the total fuel levy in SA. The General Fuel Levy, Road Accident Fund, and Carbon Fuel Levy, must be aligned to the struggle and lived reality of millions of South Africans, struggling to make ends meet because of volatility in the fuel sector.
As Kingdom Builders the ACDP proposes the following solutions:
- A modernising and streamlining of licensing systems through transparent digital platforms, with strict turnaround times for mining and exploration applications.
- Intensifying the fight against illegal mining through stronger law enforcement coordination.
- Review the total fuel levy to lessen the burden on households, businesses and the broader economy.
- Don’t talk beneficiation, prioritise it, so that South Africa creates jobs, industrial growth, and sustainable development from its mineral resources.
South Africa’s mineral wealth must serve all our people through responsible governance, environmental stewardship, inclusive growth, and economic justice.
I thank you.
