The Department of Mineral Resources (DMRE) has chosen a Canadian-South African consortium to develop the country's mining licensing system, which could help clear the backlog of unprocessed applications and boost mining exploration.
For decades, investors in the local mining industry have had to rely on archaic, corruption-prone methods to apply for licences.
The Minerals Council South Africa estimates there's a backlog of more than 3 000 prospecting and mining rights, with a "pent-up" investment value of more than R30 billion.