MPRDA changes need ‘further refinement’

[miningmx.com] – PROPOSED changes to South Africa’s minerals laws will be held over until next year as they require ‘further refinemenet’, said Bloomberg News citing Faith Bikani, chairperson of the portfolio committee on mineral resources.

“We would have loved to pass the bill before the end of this year but Parliament is adjourning next week and with a lot of work left to deliberate on, it’s not going to be possible,’ said Bikani.

“We also have to take into account the fact that we don’t want any legal challenges when we are done with it,’ she said.

Proposed changes to the 2002 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act include giving the state the right to a free 20% stake in all new energy ventures as well as compelling some mining companies to sell part of their output to local processors, said Bloomberg News.

Parliament was originally scheduled to end its year on Friday, November 8, but it will continue to meet next week, with the last day now set for Tuesday, November 12, said BDLive which also reported on the matter.

However, some of Parliament’s committees have been given permission to continue their meetings until the end of next week in order to complete their business, it said.

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