FACTSHEET: MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL 2025 (MRDB)

The Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025 (MRDB) seeks to reform South African mining laws by amending the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 and introducing artisanal and small-scale mining permits. While the government aims to accelerate projects and increase domestic mineral processing, including minerals for clean energy, the document highlights risks to water, soil, air, and land rights for rural communities. It specifically notes that the Bill requires only "meaningful consultation" rather than the standard of free, prior and informed consent.

• The MRDB intends to amend the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002, introduce permits for artisanal and small-scale mining, and ensure more minerals are processed within South Africa. It also aims to unlock minerals required for clean energy and give effect to the constitutional right to a healthy environment.
• The Bill may negatively impact rural and mining-affected communities regarding land rights, livelihoods, and environmental quality, specifically the availability of water, clean air, and healthy soil.
• There is a discrepancy between the Bill's requirement for "meaningful consultation" and the principle of free, prior and informed consent for communities affected by mining projects.

APA

Natural Justice (2025). FACTSHEET: MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL 2025 (MRDB). https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Eng_Factsheet_MRDB-August-2025.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. FACTSHEET: MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL 2025 (MRDB). 2025. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Eng_Factsheet_MRDB-August-2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=FACTSHEET: MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL 2025 (MRDB) |date=August 2025 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Eng_Factsheet_MRDB-August-2025.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2025factsheet, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{FACTSHEET: MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL 2025 (MRDB)}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2025}, month = aug, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Eng_Factsheet_MRDB-August-2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }