ABSTRACT
The state of the South African economy is currently the weak link in the government’s plan to delay social change. The mining industry in South Africa is, however, dominated by seven privately owned, highly integrated, domestic mining houses. The state of the South African economy and its major component, the minerals industry, is therefore of great importance to the political stability of the country. The government of South Africa has consistently maintained that the most efficient exploitation of mineral resources may be achieved through the private sector. The mining laws of the various provinces which comprise the Republic of South Africa went through an iterative process of synthesis which culminated in the Precious Stones Act of 1964 and the Mining Rights Act of 1967. Chief among the mineral organizations of South Africa is the Department of Mines, which is the responsibility of the Minister of Mines and Energy.
