Prioritizing Domestic Mineral and Coal Needs

There is a clear need for consistent and continuous domestic supply of minerals and coal to ensure that the state’s economic objectives are met. The purpose of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 34 of 2009 is to overcome and prevent any reduction of minerals and coal needed for the interests of the domestic market.

The regulation is explicit and straight forward, and therefore not particularly onerous in terms of understanding the provisions and matters of compliance. Article 2, for example, states that mineral and coal companies must prioritize the supply of minerals and coal to satisfy domestic demand needs. In this context, minerals and coal are defined as including metals, non-metals, and ore.