The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) continues to monitor the safety and security of the energy and mining sectors amid ongoing acts of looting, destruction in violence across South Africa, but particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe also continues to interact with all energy and mining sector role-players during the ongoing unrest, the department states.

In recent discussions with the board members and executives of the Minerals Council South Africa and the South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia), Mantashe emphasised the need for role-players and stakeholders to continue strengthening the working bonds that have ensured the resilience of the sectors to date, even while fighting the current pandemic.

He further stressed the importance of the energy and mining sectors as the drivers of the country’s economy and encouraged the sectors to share their experiences of the current unrest, as well as their risk mitigation strategies and plans.

The Minerals Council expressed confidence that, in spite of the ongoing protest challenges, they are able to fulfil their contractual obligations.

Represented by Sapia, the petroleum sector noted that the disruptions in KwaZulu-Natal have led to the temporary closure of the South African Petroleum Refineries (Sapref) refinery in Durban, which would have a ripple effect across the national supply chain for petroleum products.

Sapia continues to closely monitor the status of the fuel supply chain and advise the department of mitigation steps taken on the impact to the nation.

“While there are challenges with regards the movement of petroleum products to some parts of the country, there is sufficient product and government is working to secure the movement of all petroleum product,” the DMRE assures.

South Africans are further discouraged from panic buying and hoarding, as this action will exacerbate current challenges across the nation.