DMR restricts new licence applications

Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has published a notice restricting the granting of new applications for technical co-operation permits, exploration and production rights pending the publication of a notice of invitation for applications.

“It is significant to note that the restriction does not affect the exclusive rights conferred by the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No.28 of 2002) (MPRDA) on holders of technical co-operation permits and exploration rights to apply for exploration rights or production rights respectively, as the case may be, and applications that were lodged prior to the publication notice,” says Lindiwe Mekwe Petroleum Agency SA acting chief executive officer.

The notice was published in terms of section 49 (1) of MPRDA.

“The restriction by the minister is part of a licensing strategy that is primarily aimed at using licensing as a tool to achieve the transformation ideal encapsulated in section 2(d) of the MPRDA and fast-track exploration.

“To that end, the Petroleum Agency is currently working on the modalities and processes that will inform the invitation for application dispensation, as approved by the minister of mineral resources,” Mekwe says.