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SA Police Service illegal mining van.
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile says the escalation of illegal mining in the province is a serious concern.
Illegal mining is prevalent in areas including Langlaagte at Zamimpilo, Riverlea, Selby, Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Florida and Cleveland.
The province which has about 160 mining companies is the country’s economic hub.
Maile who attended the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town has called for a lasting solution to illegal mining.
“We are concerned about illegal mining and that is why we are saying it is time to have conversations to formalise the sector how do we help those who are already doing this to stop doing illicit mining and regulate it properly and to properly contribute to revenue and fight poverty and unemployment.”
Threat to economy
According to Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, illegal mining will continue to pose a significant risk to the growth potential of the South African economy if it is not dealt with.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation joined hands with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to try and fight illegal mining on an international level.
In September last year, a UN delegation and various ambassadors joined Lebeya at the Sibanye Stillwater mine on Gauteng’s West Rand to assess the extent of the challenge of illegal mining in Gauteng.
VIDEO | More details in the report below:
