What is an exploration license?

An exploration licence gives the licence holder the exclusive right to explore for petroleum or for specific minerals or petroleum within a designated area, but does not permit mining, nor does it guarantee that a mining or production lease will be granted.

Is exploration a mining process?

The life cycle of mining begins with exploration, continues through production, and ends with closure and postmining land use. Comminution (i.e., the breaking of rock to facilitate the separation of ore minerals from waste) combines blasting (a unit process of mining) with crushing and grinding (processing steps).

What are mining requirements?

Mining is required to obtain any material that cannot be grown through agricultural processes, or feasibly created artificially in a laboratory or factory. Mining in a wider sense includes extraction of any non-renewable resource such as petroleum, natural gas, or even water.

What is a mining license?

Mining Licence (Offshore Minerals) – New South Wales A mining licence is designed to cover the commercial mining phase of a project and authorises the exploration for and full recovery of minerals from the licence area. NSW’s offshore area extends to three nautical miles from the coastal baseline.

What are exploration rights?

Exploration right – this right entitles the holder to conduct exploration operations and all incidental activities on the acreage. The holder of an exploration right enjoys an exclusive right to apply for and be granted a production right over the exploration area.

How do you get a mining license?

Eligibility requirements

be at least 18 years old.
submit an environmental Impact statement.
submit details of proposed mining developments, including the type of minerals and description of the land.
notify the landowner / occupier in writing within 21 days of lodging the application.

How long is mining exploration?

It takes one to three years. Even with legal permission in place there’s still no guarantee that a mine will be built. A company’s final decision is based on a feasibility study which builds on the pre-feasibility study.

What happened to miners who didn’t have a licence?

As opposition grew many miners refused to buy a licence. Licences had to be carried at all times and there was very little leniency shown by police. Even if a miner had lost his licence, or it had been destroyed in dirty or wet working conditions, he could be fined or gaoled.

What are the requirements for a mining permit in South Africa?

It may however be renewed for three more periods of no more than a year each. A mining permit may only be issued if: the mining area does not exceed 1,5 ha. Pay the prescribed, non-refundable fee. The system will accept the application if all requirements have been met.

How is sa supporting mining exploration and its junior miners?

Perhaps the most encouraging development to emerge in SA to support exploration funding is the junior miners’ programme launched by the department of mineral resources to assist new entrants to access to funding.

Are there any mining companies in South Africa?

Despite an extremely challenging year, South Africa’s mining companies performed on all fronts, explore more in the 12th edition of the SA Mine 2020. Despite an extremely challenging year, South Africa’s mining companies performed on all fronts.

What was the minerals and mining policy of South Africa?

The mandate given to the Steering Committee was to conduct an extensive consultative process to canvass stakeholder opinion for the preparation of a new minerals and mining policy for South Africa. In November 1995 a Discussion Document on Minerals and Mining Policy for South Africa was published and extensive written comments were received.

What are the requirements for a mining right in South Africa?

If an existing mining right holder, at any stage during the existence of the mining right, had a minimum 26% Black Economic Empowerment (“ BEE ”) shareholding, it will be recognised as compliant with the Charter for the remaining period of the mining right, alternatively until the mining right is renewed or transferred to a third party.

Can a foreign company own a mine in South Africa?

4.2 Can the entity owning the rights be a foreign entity or owned (directly or indirectly) by a foreign entity and are there special rules for foreign applicants? Yes, provided that the holder of the right complies with the ownership requirements stipulated in terms of the Charter. 4.3 Are there any change of control restrictions applicable?

Who is the custodian of mineral resources in South Africa?

The state is the custodian of South Africa’s mineral and petroleum resources and has a duty to administer these resources for the benefit of all South Africans. The Minister is authorised to grant or refuse applications for rights under the MPRDA.