SOUTH AFRICA MINING EXPORT PROCEDURE
Step-by-step guide to exporting mineral product from South Africa: which authority signs what, the documents you must hold, royalty payable, and where deals get stuck at the border.
Authority and royalty
Regulator: Department of Mineral Resources & Energy (DMRE) and SARS Customs. Royalty: Mineral & Petroleum Royalty Act — 0.5–7 % refined; 0.5–5 % unrefined, sliding with margin.
Border and logistics
Common exit routes: Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Saldanha (sea); OR Tambo Johannesburg (air, precious).
Documents required
Hold every one of these before booking the truck — missing any single document means the shipment sits at the border.
- Mining Right (MPRDA s23) or Mining Permit
- Export permit (where required, e.g. unwrought precious)
- Certificate of Origin (SACU)
- SARS SAD500 customs declaration
- Independent assay
- Bill of Lading / AWB
- Phytosanitary if applicable
Assay and valuation
Always use an internationally recognised assayer (SGS, Bureau Veritas, ALS). The buyer's in-house assay is for reference only — final settlement uses umpire assay clauses in the contract.
Common mistakes
Mistakes we see repeatedly:
- Selling unwrought precious metal without SARB approval
- Wrong MPRR calculation (refined vs unrefined formula)
- Missing SACU certificate when shipping intra-SACU
Frequently asked questions
How long does export clearance take?
In South Africa, typically 5–15 working days from application to signed export permit, plus 1–3 days customs at the border. Build a 3-week buffer into shipment planning.
Can I export without a refinery?
Most countries allow concentrate and DSO export. Some (Zimbabwe lithium, Indonesia nickel) now restrict raw ore to force domestic beneficiation. Check the latest rule before signing an offtake.
What if my assay differs from the buyer's?
Use the contract's umpire assay clause — a third independent lab whose result is binding. SGS and Bureau Veritas are the most-cited umpires in African mineral contracts.