Background
The former Department of Mines and Geology was established in 1969 under the Ministry of Finance, Commerce and Industry and was later transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1976 until 2012. In June 2012, the Coalition Government changed the then Department of Mines and Geology to form the current Ministry of Mining.
The Ministry is divided into three main departments as follows;
Administration provides policy direction and administrative structures for the Ministry to function properly.
Department of Mines monitors and regulates all mining and quarrying operations in the country;
Department of Geological Survey ?generates, manage and disseminate geo-scientific information on available mineral resources.
The Ministry provides policy direction for the mining sector and also plays a regulatory role for the exploration and exploitation of minerals. The minerals that are currently known and exploited are diamonds, sandstones, dolerite and clay. There are currently eight diamond prospecting companies, three diamond mining companies, seven sandstones quarries, five dolerite quarries operating in three areas and two commercial clay mining companies. There is currently a vast interest from investors to invest in the mining sector evidenced by the influx of applications for mineral rights that the Ministry receives.
Mandate
The Ministry of Mining has been established to take custody of Lesotho mineral resources and create an environment in which the mineral resources contribute to the country socio-economic development.
Vision
By the year 2020, Basotho nation shall have an improved standard of living through a well developed mining sector.
Mission
The Ministry of Mining is committed to explore and disseminate information on mineral resources, regulate and manage prospecting and mining activities to develop the mining sector in partnership with our stakeholders in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner for the socio-economic benefit of the Basotho nation.
Objective
MINISTERIAL OVERALL GOALS AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Overall Goals
- To generate and manage geo-scientific information
- To manage and promote mineral resources development
- To strengthen the management and administration of the Ministry
Strategic Objectives
- To increase availability of up-to-date mineral resources information
- To improve skills base
- To ensure that the Ministry structure is responsive to its strategic objectives
- To develop a strategic direction for mineral development
- To promote beneficiation of minerals and increase participation of Basotho in the mining sector
- To maximize revenue collection from mining activities