Streamlined mining licence to reduce red tape introduced

For a long time, acquiring a licence to operate a mine has been a convoluted process involving filling reams of forms. Now, with the launch of its One Environmental System, government aims to streamline licensing processes for mining, environmental authorisations and water use.
Under the Environmental One System, the Minister of Mineral Resources will issue Environmental authorisations and Waste Management licences in line with the National Environmental Management Act (Nema) and the National Environmental Management Waste Act, correspondingly, for mining and related activities.
The following Departments were involved in formulating the legislation: Environmental Affairs and Mineral Resources and Water and Sanitation.
It is generally expected that the new licence will improve the ease of doing business and further enhance South Africa’s global competitiveness as a favourable mining investment country.