JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The High Court of Gauteng, in Pretoria, on Friday made an agreement reached between the Chamber of Mines (CoM) and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) that Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane would withdraw his proposed moratorium on the processing of new mining rights, an order of the court.
The DMR withdrew plans to impose a moratorium on granting and renewing mining rights and will explore other measures to ensure companies are compliant with the industry charter.
Views submitted to the department about the potential impact of the freeze, particularly from junior miners, suggested that alternative means must be explored to ensure companies are compliant with the industry charter, the department said on its Twitter account on Thursday.
The order of court also provides that the CoM’s application for an urgent interdict is postponed and costs are reserved.
Presiding Judge Ramarumo Monama said the Minister’s approach, both in issuing the intended moratorium notice and in his failure to respond to the application, showed the utmost disrespect for the Constitution, the rule of law and the courts.
He further remarked that the Minister’s conduct served to tarnish brand South Africa, and called for the Minister to submit an affidavit within 14 days explaining his failure to file an answering affidavit.
Edited by: Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online
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