A gold-mining site in Faka, Ngauro area, Eastern Equatoria State | Credit | Jale Richard/Eye Radio

The Mining Act 2012 Amendment Bill 2026 has progressed to the advanced legislative stages and is now awaiting public consultation before final approval, according to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).

The Mining Act 2012 (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) was first tabled by the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech.

On Thursday, April 16, Oliver Mori Benjamin, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Information Committee, confirmed that the bill is currently under review by the specialized Committee on Mining after successfully navigating its second and third readings.

The legislation is presently at the committee stage, where technical scrutiny is finalized. Hon. Mori explained that the committee is in the process of setting a date for public hearings. These sessions will allow citizens and stakeholders to provide input before a final report is submitted to the Assembly Business Committee.

“Actually, the bill is already in the second and third stage reading with the Committee of Mining,” Hon. Mori stated. “They are only waiting to set a time for public hearing, and thereafter they will submit their report to the Assembly Business Committee in the next meeting.”

The amendment bill, which was referred to the joint committees on Mining and on Legislation and Justice in January, proposes several landmark reforms designed to modernise South Sudan’s extractive industry.

Key provisions include the establishment of a National Gold Refinery, a South Sudan School of Mines, and a specialised Mining Police unit tasked with protecting national resources.

In 2025, former Minister Geng said the amendment bill was drafted in accordance with the 2018 revitalized peace agreement and the constitution.

“The purpose of this bill is to amend the Mining Act, 2012, to conform with the revitalized agreement, the constitution, and best practices by providing for the development of the nation’s mineral resources and establishing the South Sudan Geological Survey Agency, the Mining Corporation, and the Mining Authority,” he said.

Mining Committee member Hon. Oreste Lopara noted that the amendments aim to align South Sudan with international transparency standards while closing critical gaps in environmental protection laws.

The legislative progress comes as the Ministry of Mining pledges to strengthen regulations following a recent tragic incident at a mining site in Khor Kaltan, Wonduruba Administrative Payam.

The incident has triggered fresh calls from civil society activists for communities to take a more proactive role in resource management. In response, the Ministry of Mining has reiterated its commitment to holding companies accountable and ensuring transparency across all mining operations in the country.