Acting President, Gwede Mantashe, has drawn a clear line in the sand — the South African delegation in the United States (US) will not sign any mineral-related agreements with President Donald Trump’s administration without full consultation with the government and stakeholders.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa leads a high-level delegation on a critical diplomatic mission to the US, Mantashe reassured the nation that mineral deals would not be brokered behind closed doors or under foreign pressure.
At a media briefing in Cape Town on Tuesday, Minerals Minister Mantashe emphasised that the delegation’s role was to engage — not to commit.
“I would doubt that, but having watched the relations between the US and Ukraine, I would imagine that the US will try to put the issue of minerals on the table,” Mantashe said.
He was responding to speculation that a mineral deal may be tabled during the diplomatic visit.
“But, I doubt if our delegation can commit South Africa to its minerals on its hooves. It can’t work that way. They may have issues, but that will have to come back for a discussion in the country,” he said.
Mantashe underscored that any commitments involving South Africa’s mineral resources must include industry-wide consultation.
“It will require input from the government, labour, the Mineral Council, and all relevant stakeholders. Only then can real proposals be made.”
He also revealed that Cabinet has officially declared platinum, manganese, iron ore, coal, and chrome ore as “high-critical minerals”.
This designation signals their strategic importance to the country’s economy and global standing.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa is set to meet with Trump on Wednesday.
Politics
