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I have always maintained that despite pessimism from some quarters - the mining industry in SA is a 'Sunshine Industry'

The opening of the Cutting Works bears a testimony to that:
* Seventy two women are now employed and continue to receive training in diamond polishing
* I understand that you envisage to employ another 100 people in the coming year
* This is job creation, this is growth and this what our government is all about
* A study commissioned by the MQA last year, reveals that only 3% of employees in the mining and minerals sector is female
* Women are mostly employed in what is traditionally regarded as women's job (i.e. clerical work)
* I realise that you are turning this around and wish to commend you for that

Mining is one of the industries that form a substantial part of our economy

SA is accordingly regarded as a world class mining country:
* In 1999, SA's mining industry accounted for 35,7% of the country's total exports
* This amounted to R57,915 Billion
* Processed minerals contributed approximately 1,7%
* This represented a total of 8,2% of the GDP from minerals and mineral related products
* Despite retrenchments the mining sector still employs some 425 000 people.

However it is no secret that the mining industry is facing some serious challenges. And it is in precisely in those challenges that we must find and identify what opportunities can arise.

In December 1999 the South African Women in Mining Association (SAWIMA) was launched. At this launch, speaker after speaker emphasised the need to empower women through:
* Training, Education and Capacity Building
* Technical assistance
* Financial assistance
* Access to mineral deposits
* training and skills
This remains a challenge that we must continue to deal with

Another area of interest is that of beneficiation:
* Estimates are that SA provides 25% of all raw materials for jewellery making world-wide
* However only 0,5% is fabricated jewellery
* Countries which are leaders in jewellery making do not even produce minerals
* This has been a matter of great concern to us
* Hence government, labour and business identified beneficiation as a key sector for job creation - during the Mining Summit
* Government has nurtured a total strategy for the jewellery industry development
* As a result a host of secondary initiatives are independently taking shape

I wish the managers and the staff of the Star Premier Diamond Cutting Works, all of the best

Thank you

Issued by the Ministry of Minerals and Energy
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