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Joint announcement by government, Eskom and mining industry on Energy Emergency Plan
26 January 2008
In line with the National Emergency Response Plan to the current energy situation announced by government last week, the Ministers of Minerals and Energy and Public Enterprises convened a high level meeting in Pretoria with the mining industry, Eskom and organised labour this afternoon. The aim of the meeting was to discuss issues of electricity supply to the industry, and to develop immediate measures to enable mines that were closed during the week to reopen. The stakeholders committed to address the ongoing challenges in a positive and constructive manner.
Part of the agreement reached at the meeting was the establishment of a joint mining industry and government task team charged with the responsibility of looking at ways to rebuild in a stable way the supply of power to the industry. The first meeting of this joint task team will take place on Sunday.
In response to suggestions made by both Ministers Buyelwa Sonjica and Alec Erwin, the mining industry committed to continue looking at ways to reduce its energy usage. The ministers also agreed to an industry request that there would be sufficient power supply to enable employees to continue with essential underground operations, particularly in deep level gold mines, to ensure the safety of the workplace for mineworkers.
As part of the plan, the ministers will also be engaging other big electricity consumers on Tuesday, 29 January 2008, to obtain a similar commitment on the reduction of energy consumption. Further announcements on the outcomes of the various scheduled meetings will be communicated.
Enquiries:
Bontle Mafuna
Cell: 082 773 2388
Vimla Maistry
Cell: 082 372 0270
Peter Bunkell
Chamber of Mines
Cell: 082 774 5373
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
26 January 2008