JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The draft Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill was set to be introduced to Parliament.

Cabinet approved the Bill on Wednesday for submission to Parliament, acting Cabinet spokesperson Phumla Williams said during a post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Thursday.

The draft Bill aimed to enhance provision for the beneficiation of minerals to promote industrialisation and contribute towards the nation’s objectives of job creation and economic growth as envisaged in the National Development Plan, she said.

Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu on Tuesday said that the concerns and issues raised by stakeholders were considered when finalising the Bill.

The proposed MPRDA Amendment Bill had been criticised by industry, particularly with regards to definitions, the repeal of the first-come, first-served principle, the trading of shares and transfer of rights, the environmental provisions and Ministerial discretion on mineral beneficiation, besides others.