The Ministry of Mines and Energy has noticed that some licence holders are submitting their applications for renewal late. Through this notice, all licence holders are informed that the Ministry will not accept any late applications starting 1 January 2019.
All licence holders, must take note that in accordance with section 38 (2), 72 (2) (a) and 84 (2) of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, 1992. An application for the renewal of registration of a mining claim, an exclusive prospective licence and a mineral deposit retention licence must be made not later than 90 days before the date on which the registration of the mining claim will lapse or the date on which the licence will expire if not renewed. In the case of a mining licence, section 96 (2) of the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act, 1992 stipulates that an application for the renewal of a mining licence must be made not later than 12 months before the date on which the licence will expire.
This notice is not a change in the law, but rather a reminder for mineral rights holders to comply with the provisions of the law.