Modern Quarrying April-May 2016

AROUND THE INDUSTRY EDITOR’S COMMENT

Illegal mining – an industry dilemma ‘Whenever you see a man who gives someone else’s corruption, someone else’s prejudice as a reason for not taking action himself, you see a cog in the machine that governs us’ – US author, John Jay Chapman (1962-1933).

D espite efforts to formalise and profession- alise our industry, borrow pits are still pop- ping up all over the country, the end result of which are polluted waterways and scarred envi- ronments. The question must be asked, why is this still allowed to happen? Illegal mines are flourishing and in many cases greed, corruption and personal gain are the root cause behind this ugly practice. One fine example is the sand mining operation inside the Letaba Ranch Nature Reserve (LRNR). I came across a video ear- lier this year posted by Peter Johnson, showing the devastation in the reserve and since then, he has dug deeper in an attempt to force the perpetrators and the authorities to put a stop to this traversty. The mining operation is on the farm Leeuwkop, which is inside the LRNR – adjacent to and sharing the open system with the Kruger National Park. According to Johnson, the farm Leeukop is owned by the Department of Rural Development (DRDLR) but has been allocated to the Majeje Community. This means that the Department effectively holds the title of the land in trust for the beneficiation of the community. “Further to this, the same piece of land has been claimed by the communities of Selwane and Makhuva; which is a very important point because all three commu- nities have a vested interest in the land and each community’s rights are protected by different leg- islation,” he says. The mine is 100% illegal. It is operating without a mining right, without approval from the Majeje community, and without a legal lease agreement. There is no rehabilitation plan, no approval from the DRDLR (the landowner), nor the Land Claims Commissioner (the land is claimed by multiple communities), and without various commercial plans required for such an operation. The Limpopo Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET) manages LRNR and has full responsibility for its ecological and operational integrity. “LEDET is aware of the illegality of the mine but is not prepared to do anything about it,” Johnson says.“Allegedly, senior LEDET officials have an inter- est in the mine. Surely this cannot be the case?” he argues; adding that apparently LEDET’s solution is to fence out the mine.

“I have seen letters sent by community leaders of Selwane and Makhuva in July 2014, pleading with LEDET to investigate the mining illegalities. I have seen further letters sent by the leaders of five communities in 2015 reporting the illegal dev- astation of their land, and claims that the mining is infringing on tribal burial areas. Yet again, no response from LEDET.” Johnson says the DRDLR is aware of the min- ing operation and that he has proof that the Department is not aware of any lease agreements. “I am told from various sources that Sanparks (specifically Kruger management) have inspected the mining operation, understand the illegality of the mine, but for political reasons have chosen to ignore it.” MQ has a list of the entities and people directly or indirectly involved with the mine – one of whom is currently under investigation for several irregu- larities; another fired by the Majeje Commuity chief for fraud and mismanagement – and will follow up with these in the next issue. What is clearly evident here, is that the ecosys- tem is being exploited despite damning evidence. Another case is the ongoing illegal dune strip- ping on the Wild Coast. Here rural ‘sand shovellers’ earn a megre existence without skills develop- ment, employment benefits, medical and legal protection or job security. The business of illegal mining, while lucrative for those selling sand, is unsustainable and unfor- tunately will continue as long as the non-renew- able resources last and government fails to act. Borrow pits run by municipalities, road build- ing operations and other organisations are not much better and are held to far less vigorous requirements than those of industry operations, which are invested in a sustainable future, through accountability, transparency and credibillity. Corruption is worse than prostitution. The lat- ter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.

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MODERN QUARRYING

April - May 2016