Mineral Resources department sets collaborative measures to deal with illegal mining

The Mineral Resources Department says it has put in place collaborative measures to deal with illegal mining in the country.

This was after Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources called on the department to urgently close down mines that were no longer in use.

The committee is in the Klerksdorp area in the North West on an oversight visit.

This follows the arrest of 20 suspected illegal miners in Stilfontein less than a week ago.

The committee says the department has failed to hold accountable mining companies that have not sealed off disused mines.

“We are deeply concerned as the department and especially in the wake of what happened in Krugersdorp that has put a sharp spotlight on the illegal and illicit mining that zama zamas are doing and that is why we work collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, that is why we work with home affairs and other relevant stakeholders,” says department spokesperson Makhosonke Buthelezi.

Oversight visit to assess illegal mining in the North West