Illegal mining is causing significant damage to the South African economy, costing the country an estimated R60 billion in 2024 alone. Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, highlighted the severity of the issue, emphasizing that illegal mining is a criminal activity and a threat to national well-being. He stated that the government is committed to combating illegal mining through initiatives like Operation Vala Umgodi and called on mining companies to take responsibility for rehabilitating mines.
Illegal mining is waging war on the South African economy, with the illicit trade costing the economy at least R60 billion in 2024.Illegal mining is waging war on the South African economy, with the illicit trade costing the economy at least R60 billion in 2024. Image: iStockThis is according to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, who briefed the media on Thursday.
“We wish to assure the nation that the state will not take responsibility for the reckless actions of illegal miners,” he said.Replying to questions from journalists, the Minister called on mining companies to take responsibility for rehabilitating mines. “The Stilfontein goldmine … is not an ownerless and derelict mine. It is owned by an existing company and that company must take responsibility. The state intervened to facilitate the rescue operation as an interim measure. But that owner must take the ultimate responsibility for that disaster, not the state,” he said.High Court rules millions of residents have been ‘unlawfully’ excluded from SASSA grants for two years.
ILLEGAL MINING ECONOMY SOUTH AFRICA GOVERNMENT MINING COMPANIES
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