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The Government has also adopted legislation needed for the implementation of the Mining Code, which is intended to attract private investment, streamline the management of environmental and social impact assessments, and enhance public disclosure. Furthermore, the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment and the Amendment to Mining Code (2016) are intended to help set standards for responsible mining, to better align the industry with global environmental practices. (...)

In order to achieve its overall objectives, namely an improved business climate, harmonious coexistence of industrial and small scale mining, development of the DRC's mineral potential, and better social and environmental conditions in mining areas, the Government's priorities in the mining sector will essentially focus on drafting the Strategic Mining Development Plan (2016 2021).

A new Law on Royalties (2009) and its implementing texts were passed during 2009-10, and became effective on 1 July 2010, thus making substantial amendments to the relevant provisions. This change was aimed at restraining rampant mineral exploitation activities, raising more local government revenue for environmental protection and infrastructure improvement, and encouraging more rational, efficient, and effective mineral exploitation.

In 2015, a new Mining Code was adopted to replace the 1951 legislation. The principal measures introduced by this law are as follows:
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• requirement of an environmental impact assessment and an abandonment plan to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.

So far geological explorations have determined the reserves of available mineral resources at different levels, potential and exploitable. Except for four mineral resources (sea salt, mineral waters, groundwater and gravel and sands from the watercourse), which are part of the renewable, they remain non-renewable.

A deposit of heavy mineral sands (ilmenite, rutile and zirconium) has been found in the coastal area at Nhiquim/Varela. Potential industrial reserves are estimated at 780,000 tonnes of concentrated heavy sands. The company PORTO SARL obtained an exploitation and environmental compliance licence in 2012, but exploitation has been suspended by the authorities on the grounds of certain irregularities.

The Central Energy Fund (CEF) (Pty) Ltd. CEF is a private company, wholly owned by the State, and comprises several operating subsidiaries among which: the Oil Pollution Control SA (OPCSA), in charge of preventing disasters and of clean-up services mainly in ports and on the coast; the South African National Energy Research Institute (Saneri), in charge of research in alternative energy sources; and the National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA), created in 2006 to promote energy efficiency.

Main legal instruments governing the mining sector
Legal instrument Description Date of publication in the Official Register Most recent amendment
Ministerial Decision No. 37 of the Ministry of the Environment Environmental regulation of mining activities 27/3/2014 12/7/2016
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During the period under review, Rwanda updated the legal and institutional framework for geology and mining (...)Implementing regulations were also enacted to clarify, inter alia, criteria and modalities for: guarantee of environmental protection, (...)

In 2004, the Federal Government and the World Bank announced the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project in Nigeria aiming to improve the Government's capacity to manage mineral resources in a sustainable way