Modern Mining March 2025

ILLEGAL MINING

Illegal mining – is government making headway? The recent Stilfontein illegal mining saga, which held the public’s interest for a good few months, culminated in the deaths of over 70 illegal miners and the rescue of close to two hundred and fifty. As it stands, South Africa has over 6 000 abandoned mines, many of which are targets for illegal mining. Given that the responsibility of abandoned mines lies with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), the question arises: Is government doing enough to address the situation? Modern Mining recently spoke to Mariette Liefferink, CEO: Federation for a Sustainable Environment (FSE) for some insight.

An image of Illegal miners who were arrested by the South African Police for illegal mining and the rape of 8 women at North Sands dump in Krugersdorp.

Mariette Liefferink, CEO: Federation for a Sustainable Environment.

Over the past months, the operation has led to numerous arrests and efforts to dismantle underground mining networks. Since October 2024, more than 1 000 miners have resurfaced from the abandoned Buffelsfontein mine.

A ccording to Liefferink, much more needs to be done. She explains that from a policy perspective, the National Mine Closure

it enforceable, these policies and strategies must translate into regulations and amendments in our current legislation. South Africa is known to be rich in policies and strategies but very poor in implementation,” she says. The ASM Policy aims to create a formal ASM industry that can operate in a sustainable manner and contribute to the economy, while it also aims to deter illegal mining. Liefferink adds that the rehabilitation of ownerless and derelict mines, which have been abandoned without fulfilling all legal obligations,

Strategy, which has reference to economic succession and economic diversification, and derelict

and ownerless mines, has been drafted but the signing off on the strategy by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has been in abeyance since May 2023. “The Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Policy has been published but is not implemented. Policies and strategies are not legally enforceable. However, it is important to note that to make

30  MODERN MINING  www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | MARCH 2025