Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu has announced the establishment of a stakeholder forum to help bring an end to illegal mining in Welkom, Free State province.
The stakeholder forum on illegal mining would include government, mining companies, local business, trade unions and law enforcement agencies, amongst others, Minister Shabangu said this weekend. At least 86 bodies of suspected illegal miners have been brought to the surface at the Eland mineshaft in Free State over the last two weeks following an underground fire in a disused mine. More than 300 alleged illegal miners have also been arrested in the area in recent weeks.
Minister Shabangu says the government is determined to break the back of illegal mining as it is a threat to the economy and cannot be tolerated. “Illegal mining has been taking place for many years around the world and the government and industry have taken steps to curb the problem,” said Minister Shabangu.
“However, the tragic death of 86 illegal gold miners in Welkom has highlighted the fact that this is no longer happening on a small scale. “In the two weeks since the first 36 bodies were discovered on 1 June, it has become clear that this problem has now evolved to become an illicit industry run by criminal syndicates and we are going to put a stop to it,” said Minister Shabangu. “This government will not allow criminals to run their own mining industry and we are taking firm steps to ensure that both the foot soldiers and the generals are apprehended.
“South Africa is a constitutional state with laws and therefore criminals will not be allowed to steal our minerals, threaten our economy and rob the state of revenue which could have been used to educate our children, to build houses, and so on,” she said.
Following discussions in Welkom this weekend with more than 50 representatives of business, labour, the police, local government and community leaders, the minister told a media briefing that a carefully orchestrated and coordinated campaign would be implemented to root out illegal mining. “We have met with various stakeholders separately over the last two weeks and today, Saturday, we all came together and agreed to join forces to bring illegal mining to a halt,” said Minister Shabangu.
“We have, through a consultative process, had good discussions about all the issues and factors we need to consider and we will now be working in tandem through the stakeholder forum that has been established. Due to the nature of the problem and the action to be taken by law enforcement agencies, the details of operations would obviously not be publicised.
However, Minister Shabangu sent a strong message to those involved in illegal mining. “We are giving notice to all those involved in illegal mining, from those going underground to dig for gold, to those who supply them with food, to the middlemen and buyers, to the crime bosses who are sitting in their palatial homes in Gauteng and elsewhere in the world. We are coming for you, no matter who and where you are! “No amount of threats or intimidation will stop us and we are going to use the full arsenal of laws, ranging from organised crime to human trafficking, to put you behind bars for a long time!,” said Minister Shabangu.
Government would make further announcements with regard to action against illegal mining in the weeks to come.
Enquiries:
Jeremy Michaels
Cell: 082 772 1122
Issued by: Department of Mineral Resources
14 June 2009
