ANA reports that Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said on Tuesday that he intended to have discussions with the police minister in a bid to curb illegal mining.  

Tabling the Department of Mineral Resources’ (DMR’s) R1.9 billion Budget Vote in Parliament on Tuesday, Mantashe said that illegal mining caused leakage and cost both the industry and the economy greatly, thereby robbing government and the people of South Africa of the benefits that should accrue from mining.  "Illegal mining is a serious challenge and a danger to society. It places the health and safety of communities at risks, particularly where public infrastructure is threatened by its activities,” Mantashe said.  He went on to add:  "We will meet with the industry to solicit its views on this matter. As we explore ways to regulate artisanal mining as means to enable ordinary South Africans to participate in mining, we intend having discussions with the minister of police on strengthening approaches to dealing with the scourge of illegal mining."

• Read this report by Siphelele Dludla in full at IOL News

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