Overview

OUR VISION & MISSION


Aim
To develop a mineral resources and energy sector that promotes economic growth and development, social equity and environmental sustainability.
Vision
A leader in the transformation of South Africa through economic growth and sustainable development in the mining and energy sectors.
 
Mission
To regulate, transform and promote the minerals and energy sectors, providing sustainable and affordable energy for growth and development, and ensuring that all South Africans derive sustainable benefit from the country’s mineral wealth.

SHORT HISTORY

On 29 May 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the merger of the Department of Mineral Resources and the Department of Energy into one department, as the Department of Mineral resources and Energy (DMRE). The existence of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is premised on its vision of becoming a leader in the transformation of South Africa’s economic growth agenda through the sustainable development of the mining and energy sectors.

The department has six (6) programmes, developed in line with the objective to develop a mineral resources and energy sector that promotes economic growth and development, social equity and environmental sustainability.

The DMR is probably one of the oldest Government departments in South Africa. Between 1897 and 1898 there were several acts that were administered by the former Registrar of Mining Rights.

On 24 April 1891, the “Department van Mijnwezen” (Department of Mining) of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek (South African Republic – former Transvaal Province) issued the first “Certificaat van Bezitrecht“(Certificate of Right to Possession). The regulation of mining in Mpumalanga dates back to 1890.

In the case of the other provinces, the history will differ, as each former colony before unification, had its own structures in place. In the case of the former Cape Colony, the history of the Department stretches as far back as 1898. The former Department of Public Works also administered the functions of regulation of mining during 1922.

Over the years, the mining portfolio has found itself in some rare combinations, such as with labour, welfare, industry, health, immigration, sport and recreation and even with arts and science. Mining featured in the Department’s name until 1980, when the name of the portfolio was changed from Mining, Environmental Planning and Energy, to Mineral and Energy Affairs.

During 1997, the name has changed to the Department of Minerals and Energy. Since 1910 the Department has had 32 ministers, with Ms Pumzile Mlambo-Ngucka, who later became South Africa’s first female Deputy President, being the 30th Minister. She held this position from 1999 until 2005, when she was appointed as former Deputy President. She and then Deputy Minister Susan Shabangu, were also the first female Minister and Deputy Ministers of the Department, respectively, the only Department to have had women as Minister and Deputy Minister at the same time.

On 10 May 2009 then newly elected President, Mr Jacob Zuma, announced the creation of two new ministries to replace the Department of Minerals and Energy. The two ministries were named Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Mineral Resources, respectively.