30 Sep DMPR, CGS AND IDC, open new window for JMEF
Johannesburg – Following success of the first window for the Junior Mining Exploration Fund
(JMEF), the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), Council for Geoscience
(CGS) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) have opened the second window for
applications. The scope for the second window has been broadened to include applicants seeking
funding in other sectors of mining.
In the first window, R160 million was allocated to eligible applicants. Eight applicants drawn from
sections of the sector and spread across the country successfully applied for funding, which was
duly disbursed. An amount of R240 million has been allocated in second window which opened
today 30 September 2025 and will close on the 31st October 2025.
Established in 2023, the JMEF forms part of South Africa’s mineral exploration strategy whose
objective among others is to attract exploration investment, reignite mineral development,
accelerate new mineral discoveries while encouraging optimal utilisation of the country’s mineral
resources.
Among other objectives, the JMEF fund enables eligible South African junior mining businesses
to access funding so they can conduct prospecting work, increase Junior Miners’ access to mine
ore bodies and promote economic inclusion that will support equitable economic growth.
Target minerals for the second call include:
- Tin
- Tungsten
- Copper
- Lithium
- Titanium
- Uranium
- Gold
- Antimony
- Arsenic
- Fluorspar
For gold and antimony, the Fund will prioritise the greenstone belts, but all gold/antimony
exploration projects are welcome to apply. Critical among revised terms of reference (TOR) in the
new window states that applicants:
- Must be Junior Miners with a valid prospecting or mining right
- Applicant’s requirements should exceed R10 million and maximum of R50m
Other TOR terms require applicants to use funding for the following activities:
- Early-stage discovery exploration activities (detailed activities to be outlined by CGS and agreed between all parties). Example of services that can be considered by the fund:
- Drilling and logging
- Rock sample analysis
- Geophysics surveys
- Geochemistry studies
- Geo-Tech assessment
- Geohydrological studies
- Environmental studies
- Other requisite geo expertise that may include data interpretation and consolidation into a Competent Persons Report (CPR).
Advanced exploration activities (detailed activities to be outlined by CGS and agreed between
all parties). Examples include:
- Further Resource Definition
- Geotechnical Studies
- Metallurgical Testing
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Permitting and Regulatory Compliance
- Feasibility Studies
For enquiries:
JMEF@IDC.co.za
(DMPR)
Cell No –
Email : mediadesk@dmre.gov.za
