Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe last week described the mining industry as one that is in self-doubt, believing that it is about to die, with suspicion and mistrust at a high level. “I fail to understand why platinum is in a crisis,” he said, adding that mining stakeholders needed to develop trust and create an industry that was growing and inclusive. In a media release on the same day, Mantashe’s Department of Mineral Resources revealed that Vision 2030 for the mining industry was under development, along with a strategy for the growth and competitiveness of the sector. With a dollar price of $920/oz and a rand:dollar exchange rate of R12 to the dollar, many platinum industry watchers are aware of the dire straits faced by the deep-level platinum mining industry. The only incentive provided by the current low price is the incentive to close deep mines, which presents a horrific job-loss scenario that this country cannot afford.