Mine Watch (South Africa)

South Africa's government is apparently contemplating the creation of a state-owned mining company. Among the suggestions includes following the Botswana and Namibia model of joint ventures with De Beers to mine diamonds.

Readers will be aware that Zambia has fully privatised its mines, with government role restricted via ZCCM IH, which has not exactly been a success as seen by the current mutterings. I have previously argued that there's no reason a priori why the Botswana model cannot be implemented in Zambia for new mines. The key is to be clear on the policy goals, and what it impact it may have private sector investment. But it certainly needs to be discussed and debated, during election time!