Question NW3776 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
09 November 2022 - NW3776
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What steps has he taken to (a) address the issue of illegal mining and (b) transform illegal miners into small-scale miners in Witrankie Village in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality?
Reply:
(a) Illegal mining of chrome in Witrankie is one of the Department’s priority areas. In order to address illegal mining in the village, intelligence led operations were conducted with members of the SAPS and the Hawks. As a result of those operations, cases were opened, and arrests made. There are continuous disruptive operations conducted by the Department and SAPS given the extent of illegal mining in the area.
(b) The profile of illegal mining in South Africa is such that it is dominated by illegal immigrants. Illegal miners cannot be transformed into small scale miners. The Department through its Small-scale division only assists potential miners who intend operating within the boundaries of the law.