Cape town: The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Council for Geoscience, and the Industrial Development Corporation have announced the opening of the second application window for the Junior Mining Exploration Fund (JMEF).
According to South African Government News Agency, the fund has been allocated R240 million to support those seeking financial assistance in mining. The JMEF aims to provide eligible South African junior mining businesses with access to funding, enabling them to conduct prospecting work, enhance access to mine ore bodies, and promote economic inclusion that supports equitable economic growth. The three entities emphasized these objectives in a joint statement.
The terms of reference for the fund have been revised. Key requirements stipulate that applicants must be junior miners with a valid prospecting or mining right. Additionally, the financial requirements for applicants should exceed R10 million but are capped at a maximum of R50 million. The funding is designated for activities such as early-stage discovery exploration, which includes services like drilling and logging, rock sample analysis, geophysics surveys, geochemistry studies, geo-tech assessment, geohydrological studies, environmental studies, and data interpretation for the development of a Competent Persons Report (CPR).
Advanced exploration activities covered by the fund include resource definition, geotechnical studies, metallurgical testing, environmental-impact assessments, permitting and regulatory compliance, and feasibility studies. The second round targets minerals such as tin, tungsten, copper, lithium, titanium, uranium, gold, antimony, arsenic, and fluorspar. The fund prioritizes greenstone belts for gold and antimony, but all exploration projects for these minerals are welcome to apply.
Reflecting on the first round of applications, approximately R160 million was allocated to successful applicants. Eight applicants from various sectors across the country received funding. Established in 2023, the JMEF is a part of South Africa’s mineral exploration strategy aimed at attracting exploration investment, reigniting mineral development, accelerating new mineral discoveries, and encouraging optimal utilization of the country’s mineral resources.
Interested applicants can find application forms at . The application window opened on 30 September 2025 and will close on 31 October 2025.