Moratorium on mining rights withdrawn at last minute
The move by Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane's department comes shortly before a court hearing was to take place
In a surprise development, and one which perhaps indicates an awareness of a weak legal case, the Department of Mineral Resources late last night said it had withdrawn Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane's proposed moratorium on the issuance of new mining and prospecting rights and the transfer of mineral rights. Citing submissions received before Friday's closing date, the department said it had taken note of the feedback, in particular from junior miners. "As a result, and based on the reasoned submissions made, the Department of Mineral Resources will not pursue the moratorium. The department will instead opt for other legal instruments at its disposal, in line with the MPRDA and other applicable legislation, to achieve its objectives of socioeconomic development," the department said. The last-minute halt to the proposed moratorium came as the Chamber of Mines was to launch an urgent interdict in court on Friday to halt Zwane's actions. It is likely that the chamber will ...
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