Samrad’s off to a slow start

The mining industry reports mixed experienrobo sand processingces with the new department of mineral resources’ (DMR) online system for applying for mining and prospecting licences, introduced earlier this year.

The SA Mineral Resources Administration System, or Samrad, represents a serious effort by the department to soothe some of the concerns about security of tenure of mineral rights in SA. Samrad was launched by mineral resources minister Susan Shabangu in April after continuing complaints from the industry about lack of transparency and double-granting of prospecting and mining licences. The problems were highlighted by clashes over licences held on the same properties between Kumba Iron Ore and Imperial Crown Trading at Sishen Iron Ore Mine and between Lonmin and Keysha Investments at Marikana. Samrad allows applicants to check online where prospecting or mining licences are already...