Government believes it will not formalise illegal mining

[Nat Quinn]

The South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Nqobile Khanyile said government had no intention of legalising illegal mining in the country, causing serious problems in certain regions. During a webinar on the impact of illegal mining, Khanyile stressed that limited state resources cannot be directed towards the legalisation of armed illegal miners involved in criminal activities. She mentioned that the department is, however, open to applications from small-scale miners seeking permissives.

Khanyile also stressed that the issues of human trafficking and gang conflicts have become entangled with illegal mining. The police and National Prosecuting Authority are actively involved in addressing this complex problem. Khanyile emphasised that the role of the state is to ensure the equal distribution of economic benefits from the exploitation of minerals among all South Africans. She underlined that illegal mining harms security, the environment and infrastructure integrity, leading to significant costs to the state. Khanyile called for a collaborative effort between mining companies, government departments and the community to address these challenges and promote responsible mining practices.

 

source:Government believes it will not formalise illegal mining (afrinuus.com)

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