Mining projects 22 000 new jobs

South Africa’s mining sector anticipates adding jobs to the economy but the extent of jobgranite crushers manufacturers in belgium creation is tempered by the uncertainty around the nationalisation debate and the legislative framework. At least six mining companies, including Kumba Iron Ore, Nkwe Platinum and Xstrata, have said they planned to employ more than 22 000 people starting this year.

In a country beset with high unemployment, any new jobs are welcome, highlighted by the fact that job creation took centre stage in President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation speech. The South African mining industry employs about 491 000 people, down from 518 519 in 2008, a decline of 5.1 percent. Abdul Davids, the head of research at Kagiso Asset Management, said the creation of jobs was good news. “Prices (of commodities) are high because of flooding that happened in Australia. You find that higher prices attract more supply...