BuaNews (Tshwane)
Nthambeleni Gabara
18 November 2008
Johannesburg — Mineral resources contribute significantly to the country's economy, but South Africans have not fully enjoyed these benefits, says Science and Technology Minister, Mosibudi Mangena.
According to Mr Mangena, this is largely due to the underdevelopment of the mineral and metal processing industry and subsequent insufficient value addition to mineral resources.
"Mineral resources contribute significantly to the country's overall economy, mainly through the export of minerals; [however] we have not enjoyed the full benefits of our mineral economy and its impact on sustainable economic growth and development," he said.
The minister was speaking at the opening of a three-day conference of the Advanced Metals Initiative (AMI) in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
He said South Africa was the world's second largest producers of raw material titanium, which constitutes 21 percent of the world market, but its share of the titanium pigment market is less than 1 percent.
In addition, South Africa has vast resources of zirconium and supplies 30 percent of the global market. However, they are currently exporting the mineral as a raw material, with very little value addition taking place.
"We are also the world's largest producer of platinum group metals, but we play a very small role in the downstream beneficiation of these metals.
"Only about 10 percent of our minerals revenue comes from entirely beneficiated minerals, including semi-manufactured commodities," he said.
The conference brings together researchers, industry and government players to share and debate the latest research and innovative solutions in the field of advanced metals.
Mr Mangena said the conference will no doubt provide insights into the activities of the AMI, which is part of his department's interventions in the area of advanced metals.
"We believe [that] this conference will throw better light on the scientific and technical details of the projects and the advancements being made in light metals, precious metals and new metals research.
"No one can doubt the importance of minerals and the metals sector in terms of South Africa's economic growth and development objectives," he said.
The AMI was established in 2003 to facilitate research, development and innovation in the field of advanced metals, with the goal of developing technological competencies and achieving optimal sustainable local manufacturing of value-added products.
Its programme continues to strive to broaden the application of local precious, light and new metals through industry-relevant research and development, technology transfer and commercialisation, leading to the development of new local industries.
He said the vision of his department is to make South Africa the world leader in sustainable metals production and manufacturing.
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