Question 1

Who can apply for funding?

Accepted Answer

Businesses operating in critical minerals, energy, petrochemicals and related commodity value chains within the SADC region and broader African export corridors. This includes junior miners, resource developers, beneficiation businesses, producers, aggregators, exporters and traders.

Question 2

Which fund should I apply to?

Accepted Answer

Apply to the Southcity Critical Minerals Fund if you require development, expansion or conversion capital for a mining or beneficiation asset. Apply to the Southcity Structured Commodity Fund if you require structured trade, pre-shipment or export finance against a defined trade cycle. If you are unsure, select "Not sure" on the application and the investment team will direct your enquiry.

Question 3

What minimum information do I need to apply?

Accepted Answer

Company and contact details, a description of the business, the commodity and business stage, the status of your rights and permits, your offtake or buyer position, the amount of funding required and the intended use of funds. Supporting documentation strengthens an application.

Question 4

Which supporting documents should I attach?

Accepted Answer

Where available: company registration documents, mineral rights and permits, technical or resource reports, financial statements, offtake agreements or letters of intent, and the project or transaction summary. PDF, DOCX, XLSX, JPG and PNG files are accepted.

Question 5

Do you fund exploration?

Accepted Answer

The Critical Minerals Fund is focused on development, expansion and conversion capital where a resource has been defined. Early exploration applications generally fall outside the mandate.

Question 6

How long does the assessment take?

Accepted Answer

Applications are screened on receipt and progress through a stage-gated process. Timelines depend on the quality of information provided, the complexity of the transaction and the outcome of due diligence.

Question 7

Will you tell me the commercial terms of the funds?

Accepted Answer

Commercial terms are not published. They are contained in private placement documentation made available to qualifying investors, and transaction terms are discussed directly with applicants at the appropriate stage of assessment.

Question 8

Does submitting an application mean my funding is approved?

Accepted Answer

No. The submission of an application does not constitute an offer, commitment or approval of funding. Every application is assessed on its merits and is subject to due diligence and Investment Committee approval.

Question 9

Is my information kept confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Information submitted is treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act and our Privacy Notice.

Question 10

What support is provided beyond capital?

Accepted Answer

Portfolio businesses receive operating support across technical and mining discipline, processing and metallurgy, offtake and marketing, logistics and corridors, financial and treasury control, and ESG, permitting and compliance.

Question 11

Who can invest in the funds?

Accepted Answer

Interests are made available only to qualifying institutional and professional investors, in accordance with applicable law, by way of private placement documentation.

Question 12

What do the two funds do?

Accepted Answer

The Southcity Critical Minerals Fund provides development, expansion and conversion capital to junior miners, resource developers and beneficiation businesses across the SADC region. The Southcity Structured Commodity Fund provides structured trade, pre-shipment and export finance to producers, aggregators, exporters and traders in energy, petrochemicals and critical minerals.

Question 13

How do I obtain fund documentation?

Accepted Answer

Submit an investor enquiry indicating the documentation you require. Documentation is not released automatically: it is subject to investor qualification and a non-disclosure undertaking.

Question 14

What documentation is available?

Accepted Answer

The private placement memorandum, investor presentation, fund terms and a pipeline overview, together with the option of a meeting with the investment team.

Question 15

How is the manager regulated?

Accepted Answer

Southcity Capital Management (Pty) Limited is an Authorised Financial Services Provider, FSP 52877, regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa.

Question 16

How is governance structured?

Accepted Answer

Governance includes independent-majority Investment Committees, Limited Partner Advisory Committees, third-party fund administration, quarterly valuation and reporting, compliance oversight, conflict-of-interest controls and a related-party transaction policy.

Question 17

How is ESG treated?

Accepted Answer

ESG is an investment condition rather than a reporting exercise. Investments are aligned to the IFC Performance Standards, with Environmental and Social Action Plans, tailings governance, mine closure provisioning, health and safety standards, community grievance mechanisms and responsible sourcing with chain-of-custody verification.

Question 18

What are the target returns?

Accepted Answer

Return information, fund sizing and fee terms are not published. They are set out in the private placement documentation provided to qualifying investors. No returns are guaranteed and no capital protection is offered.

Question 19

How is risk managed in the Structured Commodity Fund?

Accepted Answer

Transactions are structured to be self-liquidating within a defined trade cycle, supported by verification, collateral and risk controls, controlled cash-flow structures and settlement directly from creditworthy buyers.

Question 20

How often is reporting provided?

Accepted Answer

Investors receive quarterly valuation and reporting, prepared with third-party fund administration support.

Answers for applicants and investors.

Funding questions.

Investor questions.