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Monday, 27th November 2006 (2037 views)

Mining in South Africa could help to boost the country's employment market, claims President Thabo Mbeki.

Speaking at Khuma Stadium in Stilfontein, the president stressed that boosting the mining industry in the local region could help to ensure the creation of much needed jobs.

"From what the minister of minerals and energy said about the mining development in this area, lies a response to the issue of unemployment," stressed Mr Mbeki.

The closure of the DRD Gold Mine in Stilfontein in 2003 has lead to a sharp rise in unemployment, however, the recent growth in mining activity is the district and the granting of new mining licences has lead to significant re-employment of local residents.

Mining company Uranium One has recently been granted a licence by the department of minerals and energy has around 3,000 jobs have already been created by the company as it benefits from Stilfontein's rich natural resources of gold, uranium and platinum.

It is also hoped that the arrival of more mining companies to the region will encourage further improvements in the local infrastructure as well as upgrading of electricity supplies to the region.

 

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