The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, on Tuesday tabled the Mining Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).
The bill, which now has 28 chapters, provides that all mineral resources belong to the people of South Sudan and that the national and state governments shall be the custodians on behalf of the people.
In August, Minister Geng said the amendment bill was drafted in accordance with the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and the constitution.
“The purpose of this bill is to amend the Mining Act, 2012, to conform with the revitalized agreement, the constitution, and best practices by providing for the development of the nation’s mineral resources and establishing the South Sudan Geological Survey Agency, the Mining Corporation, and the Mining Authority,” he said.
The minister revealed that the bill also gives the national government authority over subterranean national resources, revealing that the methodology applied in drafting the amendment bill includes adjusting and adding two chapters in the 2012 Act.
He said the amendments specify the purpose of the bill and provide for new terms and definitions to conform to the revitalized agreement and transitional constitution.
According to Geng, the new chapters outline the general principles governing mining and development of minerals, such as conservation and development of the mineral resources for the benefit of the present and future generations.
“Exploitation of minerals will adhere to safety, health, and environmental standards. These are found in Sections 8 to 57. This chapter empowers the minister of mining and authorizes licenses for trading, retention, reconnaissance, exploration, small-scale mining, and light-scale mining on the advice of the under-secretary,” he said. “The chapter provides for the types of mining licenses, including light-scale mining license, exploration license, and reconnaissance license, and bars individuals who have been convicted and government officials with vested interest in mining from holding such licenses.”
Following the tabling of the bill, TNLA Second Deputy Speaker Perimena Awerial further committed it to the Committee of Mining and Natural Resources for scrutiny and ordered them to report in 14 days.