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The Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Ms Phumzile Mgcina, will host
a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Awareness Programme as part of
Government’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children
campaign. The event will take place in the Msunduzi Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal,
on 28 November 2025.
Held under the theme “Letsema: Men, Women, Boys and Girls Working Together to End
Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF),” the programme aims to promote a
society free from violence by encouraging shared responsibility across all sectors,
genders, and age groups.

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The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announces the adjustment of fuel prices based on current local and international factors with effect from the 1st of October 2025.

South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by international and local factors. International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs, e.g., shipping costs.

 

The main reasons for the fuel price adjustments are due to:

 

1. Crude oil prices

The average Brent Crude oil price increased slightly from 67.01 US Dollars (USD) to 67.16 USD during the period under review.  The increase in the price of crude oil is due to the geopolitical risks emanating from the Russia & Ukraine conflict as well as the Middle East conflict. The impact of the geopolitical risks outweighs the OPEC+ recent announcement to increase production in October, which could ultimately lead to increased supply and lower prices.

 

1. International petroleum product prices

The average international petroleum prices followed the increasing trend of crude oil prices. This led to higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices (BFP) of petrol by 16.93 cents per litre (c/l), diesel by 8.13 c/l and illuminating paraffin by 4.23 c/l. The prices of Propane and Butane remained the same as during the previous period, however the shipping costs were lower.

 

1.   Rand/US Dollar exchange rate

The Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar (USD), (from 17.73 to 17.49 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol by 14.27 c/l, diesel by 15.40 c/l and Illuminating paraffin by 14.79 c/l.

 

1.   Implementation of the Slate Levy

The cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R3.72 billion for petrol and diesel of at the end of August 2025. In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre (0.00 c/l) in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 1st of October 2025.

 

1. The Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) for LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape province.

The Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) and the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay will be R13 3 Read more

Following success of the first window for the Junior Mining Exploration Fund (JMEF), the

Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), Council for Geoscience (CGS)

and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have opened the second window for

applications. The scope for the second window has been broadened to include applicants

seeking funding in other sectors of mining.

In the first window, R160 million was allocated to eligible applicants. Eight applicants

drawn from sections of the sector and spread across the country successfully applied for

funding, which was duly disbursed. An amount of R240 million has been allocated in

second window which opened today 30 September 2025 and will close on the 31st

October 2025.

 

Established in 2023, the JMEF forms part of South Africa’s mineral exploration strategy

whose objective among others is to attract exploration investment, reignite mineral

development, accelerate new mineral discoveries while encouraging optimal utilisation of

the country’s mineral resources.

Among other objectives, the JMEF fund enables eligible South African junior mining

businesses to access funding so they can conduct prospecting work, increase Junior

Miners’ access to mine ore bodies and promote economic inclusion that will support

equitable economic growth. Targeted minerals for the second call include:

Tin, Tungsten, Copper, Lithium, Titanium, Uranium, Gold, Antimony, Arsenic and

Fluorspar.

For gold and antimony, the Fund will prioritise the greenstone belts, but all gold/antimony

exploration projects are welcome to apply. Critical among revised terms of reference

(TOR) in the new window states that applicants:

• Must be Junior Miners with a valid prospecting or mining right

• Applicant’s requirements should exceed R10 million and maximum of R50m

Other TOR terms require applicants to use funding for the following activities:

• Early-stage discovery exploration activities (detailed activities to be outlined by

CGS and agreed between all parties). Example of services that can be considered

by the fund:

• Drilling and logging

• Rock sample analysis

• Geophysics surveys

• Geochemistry studies

• Geo-Tech assessment

• Geohydrological studies

• Environmental studies

• Other requisite geo expertise that may include data interpretation and

consolidation into a Competent Persons Report (CPR).

Advanced exploration activities (detailed activities to be outlined by CGS and agreed

between all parties). Examples include:

• Further Resource Definition

• Geotechnical Studies

• Metallurgical Testing

• Environmental Read more

The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, will visit the Kinetiko Gas Project in Amersfoort, Mpumalanga, on 10 October 2025, as part of his ongoing efforts to advance South Africa’s petroleum sector and monitor progress in onshore gas developments.

This visit follows his recent oversight visit to Thungela’s gas project and forms part of a broader drive to unlock the economic potential of domestic gas resources. It also reflects the Minister’s commitment to addressing constraints that hinder investment and operational momentum in the sector.

Kinetiko Energy, in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), is developing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project with the potential to produce 500MW of gas-powered energy. The project is expected to deliver significant economic benefits, including job creation, infrastructure growth, and enhanced energy security.

 

Members of the media are invited to join Minister Mantashe as follows:

Date: Friday, 10 October 2025

Time: 09h00

Venue: Kinetiko Gas Project, Brakfontein farm - Amersfoort, Mpumalanga Province.

 

Kindly rsvp your attendance no later than Thursday, 09 October 2025, by 16h00 to:

Mr Johannes Mokobane:  johannes.mokobane@dmre.gov.za / mediadesk@dmre.gov.za;

Mobile: 082 766 3674

For media enquiries:

Ms Lerato Ntsoko: Lerato.ntsoko@dmre.gov.za / 082 549 2788

Ms Yolanda Mhlathi: Yolanda.Mhlathi@dmre.gov.za / 067 258 1122

Issued by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources

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Chairman of the Joburg Mining Indaba, Mr Bernard Swanepoel

Captains of the Industry

Distinguished Guests

Let me start by congratulating the organisers for convening yet another successful Joburg Indaba.  

Our continued participation at this Indaba stems from our belief that sustained engagement on mining in South Africa is vital to assess the state of the industry and identify pathways to improve its performance and contribution to our country’s socio-economic development.  

As we conclude this year’s Indaba, we are encouraged that – despite global headwinds and shifting geopolitical dynamics - the South African mining industry continues to make a positive contribution to our Gross Domestic Participation (GDP). 

This is evident by the sector’s second quarter performance, during which mining output grew by 3,7%, adding 0,2 of a percentage point to the GDP. Even more encouraging is that employment in the sector grew by 0,7%, reversing recent job losses and sustaining thousands of livelihoods.

This progress demonstrates that, through collaboration and a shared vision, mining can continue to serve as the backbone of our economy. It also shows that by prioritising exploration, local beneficiation, and research and development, we can maintain global competitiveness and drive sustainable growth.

The strong performance of platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, and chromium ore highlights their continued relevance to both our economy and global market trends.

It is within this context that our Critical Minerals Strategy recognises all minerals as essential drivers of economic growth, industrialisation, job creation, and national security.

Despite its long history of mining, gold remains a major contributor to our economy and employment. With gold prices reaching record highs, we must seize this opportunity through increased exploration and production. It is for this reason that gold has been included among the targeted minerals for the second window of the Junior Mining Exploration Fund. This is informed by the fact that over 40% of global exploration spending focuses on gold.

We welcome the imminent opening of a new underground gold mine by West Wits Mining, which serves as a positive sign of renewed investor confidence, and a demonstration of South Africa’s endowment with gold despite its century old history of mining.

Similarly, strong prices for platinum and palladium bode well for the PGMs sector. Given South Africa’s dominance in this market, these developments present opportunities to strengthen our position and influence.Read more