Law to nationalise mineral rights – critics

[miningmx.com] — Proposed changes in the Deeds Registries Amendment Bill for the removal of the reference to the Registrar of Mining Titles indicates that government was nationalising mineral rights, agricultural union TAU SA said on Tuesday.

“It seems to be a clear indication and further proof of the nationalisation of mineral rights,” said Jan Viljoen, chairperson of TAU SA North in a statement.

Viljoen said it became clear during a recent presentation to the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs that the Deeds Registries Act was the legislation that governed the registration of deeds.

He said the proposed amendment to the act removed the final reference to privately held ownership of minerals and was a clear indication of the nationalisation of minerals through the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA).

Viljoen said the change seemed to be a clear acknowledgement that government had already nationalised mineral rights and the proposed amendment was a further attempt to remove all reference to property rights over minerals.

The agricultural body said property rights such as those involving minerals, water, firearms, and “eventually” land, was under threat. “It is important that communities and those who understand the importance of private ownership to stand together,” said Viljoen.