Mineral resources law amendments delayed
Publish date: 20 April 2007
Issue Number: 1809
Diary: Legalbrief Today
Category: Labour
In an attempt to placate the mining industry, Minerals and Energy Department Director-General of Mineral Policy and Promotion, Abe Mngomezulu, says that although an amendment needed to extend the deadline for the prescription of claims under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act beyond April 30 will not be gazetted before mid-May, there is no need for panic.
However, Webber Wentzel partner Peter Leon is quoted in a Business Day report as saying the fact that the amendment to the Act had not yet been widely seen, and it would not become law before the deadline for claims for expropriation of mining rights had expired, put mining companies in an invidious position. They were faced with the dilemma of whether to file claims for expropriation or not. Mngomezulu said more than one amendment was being made to the Act. All amendments had to be put through at the same time and a stipulated process had to be followed. Full Business Day report
