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Government has no intention to formalise illegal mining in South Africa, which is wreaking havoc in some parts of the country, says the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Nqobile Khanyile. 

“There’s no way that limited State resources could be spent trying to legalise illegal miners, who are armed to the teeth. This is a different illegal criminal activity,” the Director for Enforcement and Compliance at the DMRE said on Thursday. 

However, the official said her department was not closing the door on small-scale miners, who want to be granted permits. 

Khanyile announced the department has since received applications from over 101 artisanal miners.

According to Khanyile, the department also offers funding for those who want to purchase equipment and non-financial support.

Khanyile was speaking at a webinar on the impact and implications of illegal mining in South Africa, hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). 

She said the issues of human trafficking and gang wars have also infiltrated illegal mining. 

“It’s a dangerous environment and this is the reason why the police and the National Prosecuting Authority are playing an active role to assist us to deal with this issue and we highly appreciate the effort taken by them.”

Khanyile explained that the State is the custodian of all mineral resources, under the Minister of Mineral Resources, to ensure the economic benefit of the exploitation of minerals is equitably distributed to all South Africans. 

She told the webinar’s attendees that South Africa is a mining jurisdiction with a history of exploitation of migrant labour, which dates back to apartheid. 

However, she said the regulation of mining has since changed where the environmental dispensation is concerned, which came from legislation in 1991. 

“This is the only time the South African government realised there’s a need for some environmental governance in the mining industry.”

However, Khanyile described illegal mining as a difficult and complex operation. 

She reiterated that criminal syndicates, who are exploiting people and children, are driving illegal mining. 

“Some of them [children] have been taken forcefully from neighbouring States. The unfortunate part is that once it’s a criminal activity, it doesn’t only compromise the health and the safety of the people who work in these operations, but it also compromises the safety of the environment.”

Khanyile also noted that it hampers the integrity of infrastructure. 

“We have already seen the impact, where sections of the roads are [impacted]. Surface infrastructure gets to be damaged, and all of this has a catastrophic impact not only the livelihood but the economic growth of the country. 

“At the State’s cost, such remedial measures will have to be managed and this will eventually have a catastrophic impact on the fiscus to try to fix the problem that is caused by illegal mining.” 

Khanyile said the department will continue to condemn illegal mining in its strongest terms. 

“Illegal mining does not take place only in abandoned mines. It also takes place in other areas, where there are no deposits of minerals.”

In addition, the department has also noted a trend for operational mines being invaded by criminals at a huge cost to spend on security. 

“Some take place closer to human settlements and public infrastructure, such as gas pipelines, roads and electricity structures. 

“The scourge of illegal mining should be a concern to the country and all South Africans.”

She also dispelled reports that zama zamas are only illegal foreigners. 

“We have seen the statistics on people who have been arrested and pursued. While a greater majority are those who are undocumented and in the country illegally, there is a growing population of South Africans who are participating in these illegal operations.” 

Khanyile believes that the State needs to address unemployment and poverty to fight the issues of illegal miners. 

She also called on companies to rehabilitate and safeguard their old mine dumps and punish non-compliant businesses. 

She said this requires cooperation between mining companies, departments and the community. – SAnews.gov.za 

 

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