Question NW948 to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources
26 September 2024 - NW948
Mhlongo, Ms NH to ask the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources
What (a) was being mined in the illegal mining operation that was discovered inside a house in Rustenburg, (b) precautionary measures has his department put in place to ensure the safety of the residents in the area and (c) are the full details of the measures that have been taken to combat illegal mining in this area in the past three years?
Reply:
a) According to the information received from the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), the hole was being used to steal copper cables in Kuselekha shaft not to mine any mineral although the theft was in a platinum mining operation. Two cases have been opened under the following case numbers Boitekong 100 & 150/09 2024 and the arrested persons have been charged with tampering and damage of essential infrastructure, trespassing and possession of suspected stolen material. Those of foreign nationalities were also charged in terms of Immigration Act as they were found to be undocumented/illegal in the country.
b) Since these are theft activities, the Department is fully prepared to assist the South African Police Services and DPCI to conduct further investigations.
c) Illegal mining is a criminal activity, and the Department has worked closely with fellow law enforcement agencies such as the SAPS and DPCI to conduct joint operations, conducted capacity building workshops aimed at enlightening communities on how to report suspected illegal mining, and desist from being recruited into these illicit activities. During the joint operations several arrests were made over the 5 years in the area and where feasible equipment was also confiscated. The collaboration with law enforcement agencies is ongoing to manage the scourge of illegal mining in the country.