S. Africa Court Shelves Black Mining Ownership Rule Changes
South African Court Ruling May Revive Mining Investor Interest
South Africa’s High Court struck down some changes to mining regulations that govern Black ownership targets, in a move that could potentially revive investor interest in the sector.
In 2018, Mines Minister Gwede Mantashe adjusted the rules to stipulate that an ownership target of 26% for Black investors in South African mining companies would remain in perpetuity. That meant miners that had previously met the threshold would need to find new Black shareholders if the original ones exited their holdings.
The High Court of South Africa on Tuesday set aside that provision and other changes to the charter, backing a challenge by an industry lobby group that represents producers. The challenged clauses of the 2018 Charter are unconstitutional as the minister doesn’t have the power to make law, according to a ruling by the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria.
The charter, first introduced in 2004, is aimed at distributing the benefits from mining more widely among South Africans to make up for racial discrimination during apartheid. Mining exploration and investment in South Africa, the largest producer of platinum and rhodium and formerly the world’s top gold miner, have dwindled in recent years amid the regulatory uncertainty.
Read: South Africa Moves to End Mine Uncertainty With New Rules
The Minerals Council of South Africa, which represents large producers including Anglo American Plc, Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. and Sibanye Stillwater Ltd., and challenged parts of the 2018 charter, welcomed the ruling.
“The judgment removes the clauses dealing with the renewals of existing mining rights and the transfers of mining rights, compelling companies to top up their Black economic empowerment shareholdings to the 2018 Charter levels, which would have the effect of diluting shareholders and stifling investment in the sector,” the council said.
South Africa’s Department of Minerals and Energy said it’s studying the court’s decision to set aside some key aspects of the charter and will communicate further in due course.
Appeal Uncertainty
While the court’s decision is a “big win” for investors as it resolves concerns surrounding security of tenure for mining rights, much will depend on the government’s response, according to Patrick Leyden, a mining industry lawyer at Johannesburg-based Herbert Smith Freehills.
“If they decide to appeal, it means there is uncertainty for the duration of the appeal process,” he said.
While the court decision is positive, it may not result in an imminent re-rating of South Africa’s mining sector, “but it does improve the investment climate in future,” RMB Morgan Stanley analysts said in a note.
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