South Africa is confident that the speedy implementation of a modern new cadastral system will clear the backlogs in prospecting and mining applications and pave the way for the development of new mines.
This was said by President Cyril Ramaphosa while officially opening the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, on Monday.
“We committed in 2023 to [improving] the regulatory environment by developing and putting in place a new cadastral system to assist in the operation of a modern mining rights administration system,” he told delegates.
“Now that we have a preferred bidder in place, we are confident that the speedy implementation of a modern, world-class solution will clear the backlogs in prospecting and mining applications and pave the way for the development of new mines.”
Companies like Botswana Diamonds have been waiting for mining permits to start operations at Thorny River in South Africa since last year.
South Africa is said to have engaged the PMG Consortium to deliver the system, which is expected within a year.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa said Africa has the potential to be the fulcrum of the global energy transition, with mining at its core.
“The vast majority of the minerals that are key to the global energy transition lie beneath the soil of our continent,” he said.
“These include manganese, iron ore, copper, cobalt, nickel, and platinum group metals."
Ramaphosa also said South Africa is pursuing a just energy transition—one that is at a pace and scale that the country can afford, and in a manner that ensures energy security and creates new opportunities for those affected.
“Our Just Energy Transition Investment Plan outlines a pathway to create new industries and support more livelihoods in the green economy,” he said.
“The delivery of this plan is premised on strong collaboration between the government and all social partners. It cannot be overstated how crucial the mining sector is to the success of just outcomes, notably in regions like Mpumalanga.”
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, from Cape Town, South Africa, Rough&Polished
