South Africa’s mining legislation is undergoing a major overhaul with the gazetting of a 108-page draft Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Bill by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe on 20 May 2025. The Bill is open for public comment until 13 August 2025 and promises to reshape how the country manages its vast mineral wealth.

The proposed legislation seeks to cut red tape and accelerate regulatory approvals by aligning mining rights and environmental permits with existing laws such as the National Environmental Management Act and the National Water Act. This integration is expected to reduce processing delays and enhance investor confidence at a time when global competition for mineral investment is fierce.

Critically, the Bill introduces a dedicated framework for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), offering a licensing regime designed to formalise and support this often-marginalised sector. It also bolsters enforcement capacity to curb illegal mining, which has plagued the industry and communities alike.

Other key features include new provisions for beneficiation—encouraging companies to process raw minerals domestically—as well as strengthened Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) mechanisms and clarification on ownership rights, particularly regarding chrome and platinum group metals.

The legislation also dovetails with South Africa’s new Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy, placing strategic resources like manganese, iron ore, and platinum at the centre of future industrial policy.

While the Bill is likely to spark debate—especially around expanded powers for government oversight and the new Section 11 change-of-control provisions—it represents the most ambitious mining law reform since the early 2000s.

Stakeholders are urged to study the draft and submit comments via the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s website. This is a pivotal moment not just for compliance, but for shaping the future trajectory of South Africa’s mining economy.