Earlier, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Collins Chabane told a post-Cabinet media briefing that the decision was based on recommendations contained in the report on shale gas exploration prepared by the technical task team that was appointed last year.
This was after the department imposed a moratorium on applications for exploration for shale gas -- using the fracking method -- in the Karoo, amid concerns of possible environmental impact.
"Cabinet endorsed recommendations of the report on the lifting of the afore-stated moratorium," Chabane said.
The report would be released by Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu "at the appropriate time".
SAA denied rumours that its acting chief executive Nico Bezuidenhout had lied about his qualifications.
Thousands of farmers have applied to employ foreign workers after the introduction of a new minimum wage.
The rand plunged to its weakest level against the dollar in close to four years on Thursday.
