The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) through its Small-Scale Mining Directorate promotes Small-Scale Mining (SSM) activities in South Africa. The aim is to regulate Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining so that mining activities can be undertaken in a safe, secure and environmentally responsible manner.
What is artisanal and small-scale mining?
Artisanal mining involves traditional and customary mining operations using mainly rudimentary methods and manual tools to mine minerals labour-intensive and available on the surface and shallow depth. Artisanal mining uses predominantly rudimentary technologies and includes the activities of individuals using mostly labour intensive, low-technology mining methods, and manual and simple tools to access marginal or very small deposits of mineral ore that are available on the surface or at shallow depths.
Small-scale mining (SSM) encompasses prospecting and mining activities, employs mechanised technologies but does not use chemicals such as mercury, cyanide or explosives. SSM can be mechanized or semi-mechanised and /or have a greater degree of capitalisation.
Artisanal and small-scale mining versus illegal mining
Small-scale mining is supported by mining legislation and allows for participants to hold mining permits to conduct artisanal and small-scale mining operations in their approved sites. Artisanal and Small-Scale consider the environmental and health & safety practices, as well as taxation and royalty legislations.
Illegal mining takes place at derelict and ownerless mines (D&O mines) under very dangerous conditions and through non-approved mining methods. Illegal mining is spearheaded by well-connected criminal syndicates who are heavily armed and often use explosives. They operate outside the legal framework which governs the mining sector in South Africa.
Why DMRE promotes artisanal and small-scale mining?
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy promotes Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining for the following reasons:
- To contribute towards job creation, economic growth and poverty alleviation
- To promote health, safety and sound environmental management practices.
- To facilitate entry and meaningful participation of previously disadvantaged persons.
- To promote optimal and orderly exploitation of mineral resources for the benefit of all South Africans
- To facilitate the graduation of ASMs to medium and/ or large-scale miners.
How do you get support for artisanal and small-scale?
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy through the Small-Scale Mining Support Programme facilitate economic advancement, SMME development and institutional support to ensure a competitive, dynamic and sustainable Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sub-sector.
Description of the Small-Scale Mining Fund
The DMRE established the Small-Scale Mining Fund for the promotion and development of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sub-sector. The Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund aims to promote entry of previously disadvantaged persons in the mining industry in line with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (Act No 28 of 2002) (As Amended).
Financial assistance is offered to HDSAs in the form of a grant to approved applicants by the constituted Adjudication Committee. Financial assistance offered to approved beneficiaries covers the cost of capital and operational expenses of a small-scale mining operation. Secondly, it is meant to cover the Financial Provision for Rehabilitation.
For more information on participating in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining programme, contact the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy head office at 012 444 3000.
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