Parliament of South Africa

07/28/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/29/2021 02:04

Media Statement: Mineral Resources and Energy Committee Chairperson Welcomes Media Reports on Africa’s First Gold Refinery in Rwanda

Parliament, Wednesday, 28 July 2021 - The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Sahlulele Luzipo, has welcomed media reports on Africa's first gold refinery in Rwanda.

In his view, the refinery could become a central hub for Africa's raw gold, thereby unlocking more economic opportunities within the continent.

He said: 'Gold producing countries in Africa should see this refinery as a key strategic point to promote intra-African trade under the banner of the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.'

Mr Luzipo further said the committee, at its earliest sitting, will find a suitable date to invite the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to present plans on how the department will utilise the refinery to process South Africa's gold reserves.

He believes that with a single gold refinery in the continent, countries who are besieged by the acts of violence as part of illegal mining activities, like in South Africa, should be able to track down the illicit gold market.

Meanwhile, Mr Luzipo has welcomed the partnership between Exxaro Matla Mine in Emalahleni and the Mpumalanga provincial government to roll out mass vaccination. The mine employs about 5 000 employees who are expected to take the vaccine.

'The mines are employing tens of thousands of workers and we have always maintained that if permitted to procure the vaccines independently, they could help accelerate the national vaccination programme, which could be a contribution towards their social labour plans,' said Mr Luzipo.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINERAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, MR SAHLULELE LUZIPO.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Mr Justice Molafo
Tel: 021 403 8444
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: [email protected]