The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources undertaking an oversight visit to the KwaZulu-Natal. Picture: Facebook The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has raised serious concerns about the absence of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) during its oversight visit to the Port of Richards Bay. The committee sought to engage stakeholders on the impact of the Quattro Scheme during this visit.
The oversight visit was part of the committee’s week-long programme, which began in the Eastern Cape and concluded in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday. Committee chairperson Mikateko Mahlaule described the department’s absence as unacceptable, particularly given the challenges facing the Quattro Scheme. The scheme is a key transformation initiative in the coal export sector.
“It is unforgivable that the department elected to disregard such a critical meeting, particularly in light of the challenges facing the initiative, including issues of volume allocation and the sustainability of junior miners,” Mahlaule said. “Transformation requires focused commitment and collaborative efforts to address all impediments affecting this initiative.” The committee said it would formally write to the department and request “cogent reasons” for its failure to attend. A meeting with the department on the matter will be convened at Parliament in Cape Town.
Read Full Article on The Citizen
[paywall]
The Quattro Scheme is jointly managed by the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) and the department. The scheme allocates four million tonnes of export capacity to emerging and junior black-owned coal producers. During the visit, the committee commended RBCT and Transnet for interventions aimed at improving logistics infrastructure. These interventions will facilitate coal movement from mines to the port.
[/paywall]
