Wednesday, 9th February 2005 (2582 views)

African ministers have declared that a new European Union proposal on chemical imports could result in curbs on exports of gold, platinum and other minerals.

Ministers from 24 African countries have vowed to resist any restrictions to exports. The Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) proposal deals primarily with synthetic and organic chemicals.

South Africa's minerals and energy minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said that the EU wanted to impose wide-ranging requirements for chemicals imported into Europe, including registration and evaluations.

"The effect of that is that it could look to the exclusion of certain mineral products into the EU, which could have far-reaching consequences for the mineral exports of some of the African countries," Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka told reporters in Cape Town.

"We feel it is a trade barrier potentially."

It is reportedly not yet clear which minerals could be affected by the new requirements, but there was concern it could hit imports of precious metals such as gold and platinum.

African mining ministers have agreed to set up a working group with industry to engage with the EU on the new chemical proposals. "The AMP (African Mining Partnership) member states want to ensure that the outcome of REACH will not create obstacles to the economic development and poverty reduction strategies of African states," they said in a statement

 

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