Harmonization of Mining Policies, Standards, Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks in Southern Africa

International experience has demonstrated that a properly structured and administered minerals industry has potential to generate substantial benefits to individual economies and regions. Apart from being a direct source of foreign exchange, mining generates substantial direct revenues to government through corporate taxes, royalties and employee taxes from miners. In addition, the exploitation of minerals can lead to regional development and can facilitate diffusion of technology and be pivotal to skills training in mining areas.
Harmonization of Mining Policies, Standards, Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks in Southern Africa

International experience has demonstrated that a properly structured and administered minerals industry has potential to generate substantial benefits to individual economies and regions. Apart from being a direct source of foreign exchange, mining generates substantial direct revenues to government through corporate taxes, royalties and employee taxes from miners. In addition, the exploitation of minerals can lead to regional development and can facilitate diffusion of technology and be pivotal to skills training in mining areas.

The report presents a framework for harmonizing mineral industry policies, standards, legal and regulatory environments in Southern Africa. The framework developed from a review of twelve SADC member States should, in the longer term, lead to convergence and a harmonized regime in the minerals sector as intended by the SADC Treaty. The elements of harmonization in the minerals industry have been investigated to identify factors impacting on the overall development of the sector in the region, especially international competitiveness. Areas in which harmonization of policy is both feasible and attractive, as well as conditions necessary for such harmonization to be successful, are outlined and further work required to develop a detailed basis for integrating the Common Agenda are provided. A time frame for the attainment of a harmonized framework has been set.