Page 66 - Illegal Mining News Today

The Haryana government has created a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deter illicit mining and sternly handle crimes associated with it, tightening the noose around illegal miners.

Police disrupted an illegal mining operation in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, and arrested more than 30 suspected illegal miners on Thursday.

In July, eight women were gang raped - allegedly by a group of illegal miners - in Krugersdorp on the West Rand.

Illegal mining is a critical challenge in the South African mining and minerals industry, writes Athi Jara.

A brief visit to the closed mining holes in Johannesburg has shown how some of these ditches are position right in the middle of residential area placing the lives of children at risk.

Sporadic protest erupted in different parts in the west of Johannesburg recently with residents calling for an end to crime and the removal of illegal miners.

The alleged rape has caused public outrage and put the spotlight on the problem of the abandoned mines and the illegal miners, many of whom are illegal immigrants. South Africa's mines, police and home affairs ministers on Thursday briefed the country's upper house of parliament on the government's response to illegal mining and other related crimes.

It will take at least 17 years for government to close all the holes that have been left by ownerless and derelict mines in the country.

Government says a policy framework to recognise artisanal and small-scale mining has been approved.

The portfolio committee on mineral resources has asked minister Gwede Mantashe, police minister Bheki Cele and home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi to explain what their departments are doing to put the lid on illegal mining