Thabo Mbeki, the President of South Africa, has praised the mining industry for assisting the Government and the economy in the wake of the mining crisis.

During his State of the Nation speech, Mr Mbeki said: "I particularly want to pay tribute to the mining industry for the way in which they have assisted us and the economy to resolve a real crisis that hit us on the January 24th."

He said that everyone was working together to minimise the impact that the events were having on the mining industry and called for the country to support its biggest industry.

"It is inevitable that, if we are to continue on our growth path as a manufacturing country, we will also have to continue supporting the processing industry," the President added.

He also moved to reassure South Africans that the power crisis was a temporary situation and the problems would be sorted out.

"Let us ensure that all hands are on deck to address the turbulence that has hit us," he said.

Source:

SA must support mining industry - Mbeki, 08/02/08
http://www.miningweekly.co.za/article.php?a_id=126531

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