Government asked to relax requirements for mining licenses

Some concerned truck owners, drivers and brick manufacturers from the Vhembe District are calling on the Department of Mineral Resources to relax requirements to attain mining licenses. They marched to the department in Polokwane in Limpopo to hand over a memorandum of demands.

They are accusing the department of orchestrating a spree of arrests of sand miners in Vhembe District. They want the Department of Mineral Resources to allow local municipalities to issue mining permits.

The concerned group’s chairperson, Daniel Mulaudzi says that they earn a living by selling sand and bricks.

“Last year, they came into our places and start to arrest us impounding our trucks and telling us that we are doing illegal mining. So, the problem is that we are not miners, we are the seller, we buy and sell. So, what they want us to do is to apply for a permit and that permit is very expensive. Remember there is R2 800 for application, R50 000 for rehabilitation and then there is another maybe close to R80 000 for the consultant which is expensive. There are people making mud bricks, where are they going to get that kind of amount to apply for that permit.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Mineral Resources regional manager, Azwihangwisi Mulaudzi says they will attend to the memorandum.

“We will establish a team, then have a meeting with you. We will then come to your areas to raise awareness regarding illegal sand mining. The South African Police Service is the one responsible for the confiscated machines. As the department we implement what has already been approved as law. The mining permits are issued by the national Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.”