Chamber of Mines of South Africa

자료: http://www.bullion.org.za/

The Chamber of Mines of South Africa is a voluntary membership, private sector employer organisation founded in 1889.

The Chamber exists as the Principal advocate of major policy positions endorsed by the mining employers and represents these to various organs of South African national and provincial governments and to other relevant policy-making and opinion-forming entities, both within South Africa and abroad. The Chamber also works closely with the various employee organisations in formulating these positions where appropriate.

History of the Chamber of Mines

What is the Chamber?

The Chamber of Mines of South Africa is a prominent industry employers' organisation which exists to serve its members and promote their interests in the South African mining industry. It does this through a variety of activities and programmes undertaken in areas where it is deemed desirable for members to consult with one another on matters of common concern or to co-operate in specific industry-level policy responses and joint initiatives. With this scope defining its role, the Chamber exists as an important strategic partner to its member mines. In recent years the Chamber's role and functions have undergone substantial change in view of developments unfolding in the external environment. This redirection of the organisation has been undertaken with a view to: refocusing the Chamber to position it as the principal advocate to government of major policy positions endorsed by mining employers ending the Chamber's direct involvement in (and financial subsidisation of) various industry services expanding the membership base of the organisation. Consequently, the Chamber exists today primarily to provide strategic support and advisory input to its members. It facilitates interaction among mine employers to examine policy issues and other matters of mutual concern to define desirable industry-level stances. Consultation and co-operation within the Chamber system occur on a voluntary basis and do not encroach on the managerial powers or prerogatives of individual member mines and mining groups. A key activity is the Chamber's representation of the formalised policy position of its membership to various organs of South Africa's national and provincial governments, and to other relevant policy-making and opinion forming entities inside the country, and internationally. A range of professional resources is maintained to support the Chamber's policy review and advocacy functions and to equip it to render advice to its members, these include mining health and safety, education and training, communication, environmental management, economics and industrial relations. Chamber influence over member affairs is, however, regulated by an approach to industry policy direction and formulation that is founded on the striking of consensus among members, all of whom associate within the Chamber system on a voluntary basis. Consensus is defined via the deliberations of a number of Chamber principal committees, headed by an Executive Council.

Vision and Mission of the Chamber

Vision: To achieve a policy, legislative and governance framework, which is widely supported and which will allow the mining industry to convert as great a part of the country’s abundant mineral resources into wealth for the benefit of South Africa. Mission: To position the Chamber as the most relevant and highly respected advocacy organisation in South Africa and as the recognised authoritative voice of mining in South Africa. To perpetuate our efforts to achieve the situation where all significant stakeholders will regard the Chamber and its staff as the leading knowledge-based resource on all issues pertinent to mining.

How old is the Chamber?

The first Chamber of Mines was formed on 7 December 1887 in the Central Hotel in Johannesburg and was succeeded by the modern Chamber on 5 October 1889. On that day, the first meeting of members of the modern Chamber was held and was attended by representatives of the following mines: Aurora, Balmoral, City and Suburban, Crown Reef, Driefontein, Eclipse, Geldenhuis Estate, George Goch, Langlaagte Block B, Langlaagte Estate, Langlaagte Western, Luipaard's Vlei, Nigel, Odessa, Randfontein, Riet Vlei, Robinson, Stanhope Geldenhuis, Transvaal Montana, White Reef and Witwatersrand.

Why was the Chamber established?

The Chamber of Mines was established to disseminate authoritative statistical information about the Transvaal Gold Fields Limited and to validate prospectuses. Other objectives included: the promotion and protection of mining interests; the promotion of public discussion on mining industry issues; the promotion of favourable legislative measures; and the exchange of information with other public and private mining bodies within and outside of South Africa.