ANC: coal a strategic resource; no export tax on minerals

During a policy conference this week, the ANC is debating ways to have the South African mining sector pay a greater share to alleviate poverty, income disparity and chronic unemployment.

Godongwana said that delegates are keen to protect SA's plentiful coal reserves, used to produce almost all of the country's power. He added that the debate on mining has been "rational and responsible". The comments indicate the ANC may be putting to rest investor-alarming calls for blanket nationalisation of the sector - a move dismissed by President Jacob Zuma and seen by economists as having the potential to bankrupt the state, Independent Newspapers reports.

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