The Mineral Regulation Branch was created when the Mineral Development Branch was restructured following the promulgation of the
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002, Act 28 of 2002

The strategic plan behind this restructuring was based on the fact that the functions performed by the former Mineral Development Branch could broadly be divided into three main streams: regulatory; promotion; and policy formulation.

Furthermore, the Mineral Regulation Branch works from both the Head office and Regional Offices

Chief directorates

Chief directorates have been created under the Mineral Regulation Branch, namely:

		Chief Directorate Mineral Regulation and Administration: Northern Regions
		Chief Directorate Mineral Regulation and Administration: Central Regions
		Chief Directorate Mineral Regulation and Administration: Western Regions
		Chief Directorate Mineral Regulation and Administration: Coastal Regions

Each chief directorate is responsible for overseeing the activities performed by the Directorate Licensing and Legal Compliance in the three regional offices or directorates.

Functions

The functions of the Mineral Regulation branch are to:

		Administer the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 2002, No 28 of 2002 [PDF], and other applicable legislation to ensure the granting of prospecting and mining rights in terms of the Act;
		Promote mineral development including urban renewal, rural development and black economic empowerment;
		Address past legacies with regard to derelict and ownerless mines and enforce legislation regarding mine rehabilitation by means of regulated environmental management plans
		Co-ordinate and liaise with national, provincial and local government structures for efficient governance;