JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane on Wednesday gazetted a proposal to restrict the granting of any new applications for prospecting or mining rights and the processing of applications for the renewal of prospecting or mining rights.
The proposal is also aimed at restricting the transfer of mineral rights between companies.
In the Government Gazette of July 19, he called for representations from relevant stakeholders regarding the proposal, stating that it was in the national interest and promoted the sustainable development of the nation’s mineral resources.
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) noted in a statement that this was a moratorium that was necessitated by the urgent interdict lodged by the Chamber of Mines to have the third iteration of the Mining Charter (Mining Charter 3) set aside.
Zwane on Friday agreed to suspend the implementation of the Charter until after the High Court had made a judgment regarding the chamber’s urgent interdict application.
The moratium was expected to remain in place until the High Court delivers its judgment.
The DMR noted that the moratorium would ensure that any applications for new prospecting or mining rights, or the transfer of mineral rights, are concluded in terms of the Mining Charter 3, and advance the socioeconomic transformation objectives of government.
The deadline for written representations is August 4.