Mining Weekly reports that according to the parliamentary portfolio committees on Mineral Resources and Energy, Police and Home Affairs, Limpopo is experiencing a surge in illegal mining activity, particularly in the Sekhukhune, Mopani, Capricorn and Waterberg districts.

Delegations from the three portfolio committees concluded a two-day joint oversight visit to illegal mining hotspots in Limpopo on 10 and 11 September. They met with senior officials from the three departments and communities affected by illegal mining. The delegations also visited sites where illegal mining is taking place. Officials from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the SA Police Service (Saps) told the committees that illegal mining was especially increasing at abandoned and disused mines. The Department of Home Affairs also reported on the high number of undocumented foreign nationals from countries such as Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, who were involved in illegal activity. The portfolio committees were informed that besides illegally mining precious minerals, the illegal miners were “terrorising” communities and committing various crimes, including rape, murder and the theft of copper cables. Members of the three committees appealed to mining companies and the DMRE to find solutions to secure and rehabilitate abandoned mines. The committees also directed the three departments to put in place strict measures in the identified areas.

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