The Mining Resources Department in South Africa is making sweeping changes to the mining application system. Henceforth new mining applications will be accepted online.
The system will come into effect after the six month old moratorium on new prospecting rights ends next month.
Beginning in March people will be able to file mining rights applications online and also view the electronic progress reports for the applications. Minister Susan Shabangu hopes that the new system will eliminate the corruption which South Africa is known globally for.
There has been more than one case where mining rights have been allotted to controversial companies whose officials have ties with government employees. Susan Shabangu had imposed the moratorium on new mining prospecting rights in September last year to help the department gain some time to assess all permits granted since 2004.
However the minister said that with the new system of online applications you would no longer be at the mercy of officials as anybody from across the globe could access the website. The new system being implemented cost 3.4 million Rand to develop.
Acceptance letters will be issued right away if all criteria are met and there are no overlapping mineral rights in existence.