The purpose of the Directorate: Mineral Economics is to provide through research, relevant information that will enhance the global competitiveness and attract new investments into the South African mineral industry. The directorate is also responsible for tracking local and international developments and trends in the field of:

Energy minerals;
Ferrous metals;
Industrial minerals;
Non-ferrous metals and minerals;
Precious metals and minerals; and to
Render a mineral statistical service.

The directorate has actively participated in the following international obligations:

Kimberley Process Certification (KPCS)

In 2000, a small group of African mining ministers embarked on an initiative to curb the trade in conflict diamonds that was fuelling wars in some African countries. Currently, more than 40 producing and trading countries have successfully implemented the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Already, some of those previously conflict-ridden countries have reported increased revenues from diamonds since the start of the process. Through all the negotiation stages, South Africa was in the driving seat as chair and secretariat. A number of other countries, including Russia, Botswana and Namibia, have already served as chairs.
African Mining Partnership

The African Mining Partnership (AMP)

The African Mining Partnership (AMP), whose main function is to drive the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) mining initiatives, was established during the African Mining Minister's meeting held in Cape Town in February 2004. South Africa is an important role player in this body. South Africa has played an important role as the Secretariat, in hosting as well as coordinating the affairs of the AMP.

The AMP has been succefully merged with the African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Mineral Resources Development, during the last Plenary Meeting of 6-8 February 2010, in South Africa

Bilateral discussions

The directorate participates in all bilateral meetings by representing the DMR in all mining-related issues.

REACH

In October 2003, the European Commission (EC) presented a proposal for a new EU regulatory framework for chemicals, at the nucleus of which is REACH, a single, integrated system for Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals. REACH would require EU companies that produce or import more than one ton/year of a chemical substance to assess the risks arising from their use and to take the necessary measures to manage any risks they identify. Because REACH generally classifies minerals as chemical substances, the proposal will have the potential to seriously affect market access and increase the production costs for certain metals and metals compounds, from South Africa and other countries exporting to the EU. From South Africa all inputs from the mining stakeholders are co-ordinated by the Chamber of Mines, though the South African Ambassador to Belgium plays a significant role. The DMR plays a supporting role to the Chamber of Mines.

For Specific Enquiries:

Energy minerals; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Ferrous metals; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Industrial minerals; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Non-ferrous metals and minerals; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Precious metals and minerals; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Statistics; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Publications