South Africa’s Mining Sector in 2024: Resilient, Restrained, and Requiring Reform
Mining’s Enduring Role in a Challenging Year Mining remains central to South Africa’s economic identity. In 2024, the sector again anchored export earnings, fiscal revenue, and employment, but under mounting pressure.The latest DMRE Mining Performance Report (R141/2025) shows that while mining still contributes over 6 % to GDP, growth has flattened, constrained by weak global […]
South Africa’s Mining Sector and the Just Energy Transition: A Legal Reality Check
Mining has long been the backbone of South Africa’s economy. Today, it also stands at the heart of the country’s energy future. The sector’s heavy reliance on electricity, its carbon footprint, and its control of transition-critical minerals such as manganese, PGMs, and vanadium mean that mining will either anchor or derail South Africa’s just energy […]
Landmark Offshore Drilling Ruling: South African Court Sets Aside TotalEnergies’ Environmental Authorisation
On 13 August 2025, the Western Cape High Court issued a landmark judgment in the matter of The Green Connection NPC and Natural Justice v Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment and Others (Case No. 5676/2024). The Court reviewed and set aside TotalEnergies’ environmental authorisation for offshore exploration drilling off South Africa’s south-west coast. […]
Navigating Mining Compliance in South Africa: Why a Proactive Legal Approach Saves Time and Reduces Risk
Mining is one of South Africa’s economic cornerstones. Yet for operators and investors, navigating the legal and regulatory framework can feel like an obstacle course. The MPRDA, NEMA, and NWA each impose complex, overlapping requirements, and when compliance is handled reactively, delays and disputes can be costly. At Bishop Fraser Attorneys, we see too many […]
Mining Technology and the Future of Compliance: What It Means for South Africa’s Industry
Today’s mining sector is not just about extraction; it’s about doing more with less, ensuring cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective operations. At a webinar hosted by Creamer Media’s Engineering & Mining Weekly, industry leaders highlighted how technology is transforming blasting, water usage, tailings management, energy efficiency, and safety in South Africa’s mines. Key Insights Adoption […]
South Africa’s Critical Minerals Strategy: A New Mining Frontier
South Africa has taken a decisive step in shaping its economic and industrial future with the Cabinet approval of the Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy (“Strategy”) in May 2025. In the words of the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, the Strategy is is a call to action for government, business, and communities to work […]
South Africa’s New Mining Cadastre: A Critical Evaluation Of SAMRAD’s Failings And The Road To Reform
Overview South Africa’s mining industry has long been constrained by an inefficient and opaque mineral rights administration system. The South African Mineral Resources Administration System (“SAMRAD”), launched in 2011, was intended to be a digital solution for managing mineral applications. Instead, it has become a symbol of dysfunction, plagued by delays, corruption allegations, and backlogs […]
Incoming Mineral Law Developments In South Africa: The 2025 Mineral Resources Development Bill
Introduction On 20 May 2025, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy published the Draft Mineral Resources Development Bill, 2025 (“Bill”) for public comment. The Bill proposes comprehensive amendment of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (“MPRDA”). Key themes of the Bill include the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining, proactive enforcement measures, […]
Proactive Compliance Required: What the 2025 Draft Dust Control Amendment Regulations Mean for Mining Companies
OVERVIEW On 16 May 2025, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment published the Draft National Dust Control Amendment Regulations (“2025 Draft Dust Control Regulations”) under the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 39 of 2004, as amended. Once finalised, these regulations will repeal and replace the 2013 National Dust Control Regulations (GNR 827 […]
US Tariffs and the South African Mining Industry: Trade Friction and Sector Risk
INTRODUCTION On 2 April 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 30% import tariff on a wide range of foreign goods, including several mineral commodities. While some of South Africa’s key mineral exports have been spared, others face serious exposure, threatening demand, investment, and global economic stability. Key stakeholders in mining, such as the […]