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[File image]: An illegal mining site
The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has raised concerns about their Eastern Cape office, citing its failure to adequately regulate the mining industry and enforce strict compliance within the province.
The committee visited the Nelson Mandela Bay metro following reports of illegal sand mining in the area.
The Chairperson of the portfolio committee, Mikateko Mahlaule, says the Eastern Cape regional office has been experiencing a backlog in processing mining rights and permits due to staff shortages.
“The department, as well as the regional office, has been lacking in terms of enforcement of the law. The law is the law, it’s not how you feel, they have been exercising their feelings instead of the law, where transgressions are occurring. We want them to explore the coal belt; they haven’t given us enough information on who are the interested parties there, who have applied for rights and so forth.”
MEDIA ALERT: ILLEGAL SAND MINING AND RIO TINTO COMMUNITY MINING TRUST CHALLENGES HEADLINE MINERALS COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT VISIT TO EC AND KZN
The full oversight programme can be downloaded here: pic.twitter.com/yhNDnKGgVg
— Economic-Cluster (@EconoCluster) January 26, 2026
