Modern Mining January 2025

LEGAL AND FINANCIAL

A number of regulations are set to be promulgated for the mining sector.

Latest policy/legislative developments in the mining sector By Ntsiki Ntsiki-Adonisi and Zinzi Lawrence of ENS Policy and regulation play an integral role in establishing the ground rules for a sector, supporting economic development and the rule of law. Going into 2025, government has flagged a number of regulations that are set to be promulgated for the mining sector. Law firm, ENS, has outlined some key legislation set to be implemented this year, that will impact the local mining industry.

Separation of mineral and petroleum resources and energy Early this year, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) would be separated into the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE). It is not the first time that the two departments have split. On 28 August 2024 the President announced that the DMRE continues to exist until the necessary laws and relevant human and financial resources are transferred. The President indicated that a memorandum of agreement will be concluded to ensure the DMRE provides the necessary support to the Minister of Electricity and Energy for the

remainder of the 2024/2025 financial year until a new DEE is established and resourced. Proposed amendments to the mprda The DMRE is in the process of amending the MPRDA through the 2024 MPRDA Bill and has been undertaking consultations with relevant stakeholders in the second half of this year. We note that the MPRDA Bill has not been gazetted for public comment and we understand that its publication is imminent. Stakeholders were provided with a PowerPoint presentation of the DMRE dated 16 August 2024 (the DMRE Presentation) outlining the proposed amendments to the MPRDA. The proposed amendments were also discussed at a stakeholder engagement workshop. Some key proposed amendments

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