News Articles

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

2025 G20 - CLOSING THE CLEAN COOKING GAP: VOLUNTARY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT ACTION PLAN TO ACCELERATE THE DEPLOYMENT OF CLEAN COOKING SOLUTIONS

Read more

MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
SPEAKING NOTES BY THE HONOURABLE
DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES
PHUMZILE MGCINA
China Mining Conference and Expo
International Ministerial Forum
24 October 2025

Master of Ceremonies,
Your Excellencies, Ministers and Deputy Ministers
Members of Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
It is an honour to represent the Republic of South Africa in this important
International Ministerial Forum – an invaluable platform for engagement
among nations on the future of the mining industry.
Your Excellencies, mining as we know it is evolving. Once defined by gold
and diamond extraction, the mining industry is rapidly diversifying into
a technologically advanced sector encompassing platinum, manganese,
coal, chrome, iron ore, and a growing range of rear earth elements.
As highlighted yesterday, the global demand for these minerals is
souring. This surge has intensified competition and, at times, geopolitical
tensions over access, control, and management of these resources. This
reality underscores the need for greater collaboration in advancing
sustainable and inclusive mining development.
This forum, therefore, comes at a critical point in the history of mining,
where we can collectively shape strategies that deepen cooperation
and promote responsible growth across the sector.
The South African mining industry has long been a cornerstone of our
national development. Known globally for its rich history in gold and

diamond mining, the industry has largely driven our industrialisation and
continues to play a vital role in sustaining our economic and fiscal health.
Despite its long heritage, gold remains a major contributor to our
economy. Our study on the State of Mining has shown that South Africa
is currently the thirteenth (13th) largest gold producer globally and fourth
(4th) largest in Africa, with approximately 40% of our gold exports destined
for China.
Similarly, despite the shifting global demand patterns and the rise of
synthetic diamonds, South Africa’s natural diamond sector remains
globally competitive due to the superior quality and prestige of its stones.
Projects such as the Cullinan and Venetia, among others, continue to
produce exceptional diamonds, supported by significant investment
aimed at extending their operational lifespans. This underscores our
confidence that the diamond sector remains well-positioned to serve the
markets.
Beyond gold and diamonds, South Africa also holds the world’s largest
known reserves of platinum group metals (PGMs), manganese, and
chrome. These minerals are not only vital to our domestic economy but
also integral to the global transition towards cleaner and more sustainable
technologies.
A key priority for us is rebalancing global mineral value chains in a way
that benefits all nations – particularly producer countries. Central to this is

our commitment to driving value addition closer to the point of
production.
The reality confronting many resource-rich nations is that much of what
we mine is exported in raw form. Consequently, the greater share of value
is captured elsewhere in the global value chain. This must change.
In this co Read more