Start main page content

Prospecting and Mining Law

Application Form
Complete Online Application Form at
/zahrah/display/external/public/163/AabSAeQlpQ#section-intro

Start Date
15 July 2024

Apply By
21 June 2024

Cost
R16,400

Duration & Format
This is a semester-long course where participants attend evening lectures from 17:30 to 19:00 once a week during the period 15 July to 22 October 2024. Exams will take place on the 30 October 2024 to 26 November 2024

Overview
The Prospecting and Mining Law postgraduate certificate course aims to provide students with a solid grounding in the practical and theoretical aspects of the South African law of prospecting and mining. The principal focus is on domestic law but comparative and particularly African mining law will also be considered where pertinent.

Course Outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Apply the general framework of South African Law of prospecting and mining, including institutional and administrative aspects and principles and rules of a procedural and substantive nature
  • Evaluate analytical tools for the understanding of the law of prospecting and mining in its political, ecological and economic context.

Course Content
The course consists of the following modules:

  • Conceptual Issues: Prospecting, mining, minerals, associated concepts, custodianship, Cuius Est, nature of rights, security of tenure
  • Acquisition and conversion of rights, transfer, bonding, letting, amendment and lapsing
  • Black Economic Empowerment in the mining industry, the Mining Charter and Scorecard, the Code of Good Practice, and the Housing and Living Conditions Standard
  • Special types of mining (quarrying, residues, off-shore, petroleum)
  • Co-ownership, mixed minerals, unlawful mining
  • Surface use
  • Fiscal issues
  • Environmental issues relating to prospecting and mining.
  • Administrative law aspects
  • Constitutional property aspects (expropriation, compensation, bilateral investment treaties, international arbitration, nationalisation)
  • Mine health and safety
  • State royalties
  • Beneficiation, unwrought precious minerals, unpolished diamonds.

Target Audience
Mining professionals, legal advisors, geologists, and individuals involved in mining exploration, licensing, and operations.

Application Process
A relevant Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Commerce in Law or Bachelor of Arts in Law or equivalent qualification is a prerequisite for admission to the postgraduate certificate courses; OR

Applicants with any other undergraduate qualifications must complete the bridging course Introduction to Law for Non- Lawyers or equivalent courses first as well as have relevant legal work experience in the specific legal field before they would be considered for other courses.

You will be required to submit a copy of your Bachelors Degree, academic record as well as a copy of your identity document or passport.

Kindly note that all foreign qualifications must be submitted with a SAQA Evaluation Letter.

Additional Information
One of the following certificates can be obtained: 

  • Certificate of Attendance: To obtain a certificate of attendance, students are required to attend and participate in 75% of the lectures. 
  • Certificate of Competence: To obtain a certificate of competence, students are required to attend and participate in 75% of the lectures and to complete the assessments as required in the course.

This postgraduate certificate course is accredited by the university in accordance with its statutory mandate.  It does not lead to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Enquiries 
Mahlatse Masemola Tel No: +27 11 717 8438; Email mahlatse.masemola@wits.ac.za 
Ursula Dillner-Dangor Tel No: +27 11 717 8435; Email: ursula.dillner-dangor@wits.ac.za 
Website www.wits.ac.za/mandelainstitute/short-courses/

Share