The Minister of Mineral Resources of South Africa, Ms Susan Shabangu, has extended the moratorium in respect of new applications for prospecting rights.
In a statement the departmental spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said: “In a notice issued in today’s (Monday, 28 February) government gazette Minister Shabangu has issued a notice effectively amending the original date in respect of new applications for prospecting rights. This means that the moratorium in all regions of our country, except Mpumalanga, is being extended until 31 March 2011."
In the meantime, the moratorium for the Mpumalanga region has also been extended to 30 September 2011. The minister has indicated that more work will still have to be undertaken in this region with regard to the twin challenges of mining and the environment.
This moratorium does not affect the processing of existing prospecting and mining right applications that were received before 1 September 2010 or even the renewal thereof.
Enquiries:
Bheki Khumalo
Cell: 082 773 2388
E-mail: Bheki.Khumalo@dmr.gov.za
