The Chamber of Mines -- which represents 90% of South Africa's mining companies -- said Monday that 100,000 jobs could be at risk if the government pushed ahead with its Mining Charter III.
In September, mining companies will challenge Mining Charter III, which calls for black ownership to be increased t 30% from 26% and be maintained, in a bid to get it reviewed and set aside. They say it breaches the law and was written without consultation with the industry.
"Our industry's future and its ability to continue to provide employment and benefits to employees depends on the ability of its stakeholders -- government, labor and mining companies -- to actively consult each other and work together to create conducive policy legislative and operating environment," CoM CEO Roger Baxter said.
Mining Charter III would raise costs in mining and deter foreign investors putting 100,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs at risk, the CoM said.
Separately on Monday, the National Union of Mineworkers -- the biggest mining union in South Africa -- said it was going to march on Tuesday against the proposed 8,500 job losses at AngloGold Ashanti.
The NUM also called on President Jacob Zuma to sack mining minister Mosebenzi Zwane -- the architect of Mining Charter III.
The union is unhappy about the minister's decision to suspend the granting of mining licences pending the court action in September, saying that could threaten even more jobs.
The minister's office was not available for comment.
The South African mining industry employs around 450,000 workers. Between 2012 and 2016 it lost 70,000 jobs.
