The release of South Africa's latest mineral cadastre has prompted more than 1,000 registrations since going live yesterday (April 18th).

Mining Weekly reports that the new online system from the Mineral Regulation Administration, which contains information on South Africa's 52 commodities, allows investors to apply for exploration rights and mining permits electronically.

Joel Raphela, acting deputy director-general of mineral regulation at the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), said the new system will likely boost exploration in the country by bringing the prospecting market to investors' fingertips.

"With the new system, challenges are highlighted instantly, and we, as management, will be able to intervene quickly and in a sustainable manner," he told the publication.

"We're confident that this system will ensure that there is growth for mining."

As well as making it impossible to duplicate rights, the online system illustrates South Africa's urban areas, water bodies, parks, reserves and open land.

It is expected to help the country recover after 26,000 rights were issued during the rush period that followed the implementation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, many of which were later abandoned and will now be reoffered by the government.

"We invite many more investors to log on and to find out about the mineral wealth of this country," said Siyabonga Vezi, head of mineral regulation systems at the DMR.

Mr Vezi added that the transparency of the process means that it will be "immediately apparent" if somebody has already claimed the right to a mineral resource.

A dedicated helpline has also been established to assist people in registering and using the new system.

Meanwhile, South Africa has also begun to lift its seven-month moratorium on applications for mine prospecting, following an audit which revealed numerous violations in the licensing process that caused a series of disputes.

Source:


Avalanche of interest as South Africa's mineral cadastre goes live on internet (18/04/11)

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