Question NW2247 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
22 July 2022 - NW2247
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What (a)(i) strategic action plans, (ii) key performance indicators and (iii) targets does his department have in place to remove gold on surfaces in order to effectively address illegal mining, (b) total amount in budget allocation has been provided to address specific development plans, especially with regard to portions of illegal mining, such as number of shafts and/or kilometers and (c) monitoring tools does his department have in place that can be used to monitor illegal mining activities in the Republic?
Reply:
(a)(i) The strategic action plans that the Department has is to seal and close all derelict and ownerless mines so that illegal miners are denied access to the same mine, and also regular inspections in identified sites with law enforcement agencies (SAPS) to curb illicit dealing in gold.
(ii) The key indicators as per the Annual operational Plan are the percentage of complaints attended to/inspected as received as well as the criminal cases opened in respect of unlawful/illegal perpetrators who have commenced with mining activities without the necessary authorisation. This is contained in the Department’s Annual Operational Plan
(b)The compliance and enforcement directorate has a budget of R17 953 151, 26 for the purpose of compliance and enforcement.
(c) The Department does not regulate illegal mining, however when the officials of the come across it or a complaint is received such is attended to jointly with SAPS.