Growth Gateway: Critical minerals in South Africa – Primer on mining policies and regulatory framework
A high-level guide to South Africa’s mining policy and regulation that sets out the core laws and institutions, licensing and environmental requirements, and policy choices to attract investment in critical minerals.
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The primer explains the current regulatory landscape for mining in South Africa and what it means for investors and policymakers. It summarises the principal laws and rules, including the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, the National Environmental Management Act, the Mine Health and Safety Act, the National Water Act, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, and the 2018 Mining Charter.
It describes how the Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum oversees the system, supported by the Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate, the Mineral Regulation Branch, the Mine Health and Safety Council, and regional offices.
The report outlines the sequence for prospecting and mining rights and the linked environmental approvals, and highlights the role of Social and Labour Plans and the social licence to operate. It then looks outward to best practice, drawing lessons from partner countries on integrated strategies, targeted incentives, feedstock security and local processing, before setting emerging policy priorities for stable energy, better logistics and investment in a competitive critical minerals value chain.
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