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Small Scale Mining Technical Support
The MQA has set aside funds for the provision of Technical Training Support (TTS) for informal small-scale miners to receive technical training in minerals extraction, geological aspects, health and safety, environment management and mining legislation.
The training intervention will be broad based to also include focused training for emerging women entrepreneurs who have established SMMEs that provide goods and services to the mining and mineral sector. The training intervention will focus on business, management and leadership skills.
MQA SUPPORT STRATEGY TO SMALL MEDIUM AND MICRO ENTERPRISES (SMMES) IN THE MINING AND MINERALS SECTOR
As a primary industry, the Mining and Minerals Sector is an important contributor to employment and wealth creation in the South African economy. As in December 1999, the Mining and Minerals Sector contributed 6, 5% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provided employment to 8, 7% of the 4, 8 million workers in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the economy.
The mining industry employed an average number of 392 772 workers in 1999. It also employed the services of approximately 43 000 sub-contractors. Taking into account the multiplying effect of the supply and consuming industries as well as the dependents, many millions of people rely on the mining industry for living.
Jewellery manufacturing provides employment to an estimated 7 755 people whilst contractors in the sector provide employment for an estimated additional 43 000 employees.
The MQA is currently promoting the MQA-SMME strategy that will guide the sector in providing on-going support for SMMEs. The strategy is based on aspects:
These are:
1. SMME support through contracted Independent Skills Development Facilitators (SDFs). The MQA will constantly endeavor to gain an improved knowledge of the SMME sector through targeted research and by means of interaction with the contracted independent SDFs.
2. SMMEs Skills Development Support.
- Minerals beneficiation skills development for SMMEs and people with disabilities in focusing on jewellery, processing, valuation, manufacturing and gemstone processing;
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Technical Skills Training and support for small-scale miners in mining extraction, geology aspects, health and safety environmental management and mining legislation; and
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Social Plan intervention for ex-mine workers to support the re-skilling of unemployed ex-mineworkers, proxies and members of the community; |
