Section 54 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA)

This section of the MPRDA  deals with processes that must be followed by a mining company that has been awarded prospecting or mining rights is unable to gain access to land due disputes arising with occupiers of the land and compensation offered. It states

• (1)  The holder of a reconnaissance permission, prospecting right, mining right or mining permit must notify the relevant Regional Manager (of the Department of Minerals Resource and Energy (DMRE) if that holder is prevented from commencing or conducting any reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations because the owner or the lawful occupier of the land in question

• (a) refuses to allow such holder to enter the land;
  (b) places unreasonable demands in return for access to the land; or
  (c) cannot be found in order to apply for access.

• (2) The Regional Manager must, within 14 days from the date of the notice referred to in subsection (1):

• (a) call upon the owner or lawful occupier of the land to make representations regarding the issues raised by the holder of the reconnaissance permission, prospecting right, mining right or mining permit;
  (b) inform that owner or occupier of the rights of the holder of a right, permit or permission in terms of this Act;
  (c) set out the provisions of this Act which such owner or occupier is contravening; and
  (d) inform that owner or occupier of the steps which may be taken, should he or she persist in contravening the provisions.

• (3) If the Regional Manager, after having considered the issues raised by the holder under subsection (1) and any written representations by the owner or the lawful occupier of the land, concludes that the owner or occupier has suffered or is likely to suffer loss or damage as a result of the reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations, he or she must request the parties concerned to endeavor to reach an agreement for the payment of compensation for such loss or damage.

• (4) If the parties fail to reach an agreement, compensation must be determined by arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Act, 1965 (Act No. 42 of 1965), or by a competent court.

• (5) If the Regional Manager, having considered the issues raised by the holder under subsection (1) and any representations by the owner or occupier of land and any written recommendation by the Regional Mining Development and Environmental Committee, concludes that any further negotiation may detrimentally affect the objects of this Act referred to in section 2(c), (d), (f) or (g), the Regional Manager may recommend to the
  Minister that such land be expropriated in terms of section 55.

• (6) If the Regional Manager determines that the failure of the parties to reach an agreement or to resolve the dispute is due to the fault of the holder of the reconnaissance permission, prospecting right, mining right or mining permit, the Regional Manager may in writing prohibit such holder from commencing or continuing with prospecting or mining operations on the land in question until such time as the dispute has been resolved by arbitration or by a competent court.

• (7) The owner or lawful occupier of land on which reconnaissance, prospecting or mining operations will be conducted must notify the relevant Regional Manager if that owner or occupier has suffered or is likely to suffer any loss or damage as a result of the prospecting or mining operation, in which case this section applies with the changes required by the context