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Steelpoort bridge in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune District.
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe, has urged communities in Steelpoort, outside Burgersfort in Limpopo, to work with the government and mining companies to combat illegal mining.
He also says illegal mining threatens the safety of communities and the sustainability of the mining sector.
Mantashe has encouraged residents to report illegal mining operations and support efforts to formalise small-scale mining.
“Illegal mining is a criminal activity, and that is how it should be treated. It is the business of the police. I am the minister of mining, but when you steal the mineral, you are a thief. You are not even from Cash Heist. When you are in cash heists, you are not given to the Ministry of Finance; you are given to the police. If you steal minerals, we give you to the police to arrest you, and that is all we do.”
Speaking at the same event, Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba called on communities in the Sekhukhune District to strengthen co-operation with mining companies to improve development.
Ramathuba says that collaboration between communities, government and mining houses is key to ensuring that mining operations bring meaningful benefits to communities.
“They must start building a new road here in Sekhukhune to connect us with Lydenburg. For them to be able to do that, it’s when they have seen that they will get cooperation. Some are going to benefit, for instance, 34 people were employed, who benefited and also SMMEs, which benefited, not all the SMMEs benefited.”
Minister Mantashe has officially handed over the Steelpoort River Bridge to the Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phopi Ramathuba. pic.twitter.com/D0h7Df3Nx6
— Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (@DMPR_ZA) May 8, 2026
