Sibanye-Stillwaters CEO Neal Froneman backed a U.S.-Africa minerals proposal that angered South Africas mining minister.
Gwede Mantashe said his department and the Minerals Council were sidelined in the draft presented to President Ramaphosa.
The disagreement highlights broader tensions over South Africas critical minerals policy and strained U.S. trade relations.
South Africas mining group Sibanye-Stillwater, led by CEO Neal Froneman, is at the center of a political storm after backing a controversial proposal to offer the U.S. access to Africas critical minerals. The initiativeintended to reset strained trade tieswas presented to President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of his May 21 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The plan, crafted by a business advisory group including Froneman and Sibanye board member Rick Menell, was not sanctioned by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, drawing the ire of Minister Gwede Mantashe.
Mantashe accused the group of acting unilaterally, saying: They didnt talk to us, and there can be nothing about mining without us. He argued that neither the ministry nor the Minerals Council of South Africa, which represents the countrys mining companies, had been consulted.
Industry discontent grows over red tape and policy exclusionThe fallout underscores rising industry frustration over regulatory bottlenecks and a perceived lack of collaboration. In 2023, the mining ministry reportedly failed to process any of its 2,525 mining applications, and new draft regulations were released without input from the industry.
Government routinely issues bills and amendments without considering stakeholders, said Froneman. He insisted the proposal was broader than mining and aimed at restoring diplomatic and economic relations with the U.S.