Ramaphosa Transfers Energy and Mineral Legislation to New Ministries

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will remain operational until the necessary legislative, human, and financial resources are fully transitioned.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially transferred the administration, powers, and functions of legislation previously overseen by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy to two newly established ministries: the Ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.

This shift follows the announcement of the seventh administration's Cabinet in June, which included merging the Ministries of Electricity and Energy and creating a separate Ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.

Legislation Allocated to the Minister of Electricity and Energy:

Abolition of the National Energy Council Act, 1991

Nuclear Energy Act, 1993

Nuclear Energy Act, 1999

National Nuclear Regulator Act, 1999

Gas Act, 2001

Gas Regulator Levies Act, 2002

National Energy Regulator Act, 2004

Electricity Regulation Act, 2006

National Energy Act, 2008

National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute Act, 2008

Legislation Allocated to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources:

Central Energy Fund Act, 1977

Petroleum Products Act, 1977

Petroleum Pipelines Act, 2003

Petroleum Pipelines Levies Act, 2004

Mines and Works Act, 1956

Mining Titles Registration Act, 1967

Diamonds Act, 1986

Mineral Technology Act, 1989

Geoscience Act, 1993

Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996

Abolition of Lebowa Mineral Trust Act, 2000

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002

Precious Metals Act, 2005

Transition to New Departments

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will remain operational until the necessary legislative, human, and financial resources are fully transitioned. Eventually, it will be replaced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Department of Electricity and Energy.

In the interim, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources will manage the DMRE, with a Memorandum of Agreement ensuring that the DMRE continues to support the Minister of Electricity and Energy until the new departments are fully established and operational. This support will continue throughout the 2024/2025 financial year.