Mpumalanga, rich in coal resources, is currently the main bottleneck for mining applications, according to Tseliso Maqubela, Deputy Director General for Petroleum and Regulation at South Africa’s DMRE. Speaking at the Junior Indaba conference, Maqubela noted that Mpumalanga accounts for about two-thirds of a significant backlog in mining applications, which numbered over 5,000 three years ago. He attributed part of the issue to the 2008 amendment to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), which did not sufficiently address mining permits. Unlike mining rights, permits are easier to obtain but are limited to 5 hectares and lack stringent requirements, making them attractive for small-scale operations. However, a deluge of permit applications, particularly in Mpumalanga, is overwhelming the DMRE’s systems. This surge is often seen as bets on possible approval, despite low chances. A recent agreement for a functional mining cadastre, however, promises a more efficient future for the application process.
Original Source: Daily Maverick
Date: 2024-05-21 19:10:46
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