S. African parliament concerned over rife illegal mining activities

South Africa's National Assembly on Wednesday voiced serious concern over illegal mining activities which are rife in parts of the country.

The parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources (PCMR) said it has learned with shock from the media that some illegal miners are still trapped underground at a derelict mine in Johannesburg.

The bodies of two illegal miners were brought to the surface late Tuesday after they died underground at a disused mine in Langlaagte, south of Johannesburg.

Some miners are believed to be still trapped underground. But the exact number is not clear.

Ongoing illegal mining activities are rife in the provinces of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State and Mpumalanga, according to the committee.

"Although the committee is aware of the sophisticated nature of the syndicate involved in illegal mining activities, it remains adamant that through cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies, relevant government departments and the Chamber of Mines, illegal mining can be curbed," PCMR Chairperson Sahlulele Luzipo said.

Throughout its oversight visits to illegal mining hot spots in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, the committee has discovered that foreign nationals make up a large proportion of those participating in illegal mining, according to Luzipo.

He called on the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen security at all ports of entry.

Luzipo said that since illegal mining does not only take place at disused and derelict mines, it is incumbent on the Chamber of Mines to demonstrate effective self-regulatory measures.

"Along with the strengthening of legislation dealing with illegal mining, the committee believes that a multifaceted approach involving all relevant stakeholders will yield positive results," the chairperson added. Enditem