Parliament’s Select Committee on Economic Development last week visited gold producer Harmony’s Eland shaft, in Welkom, after a spate of illegal mining deaths at the operation. Over 80 illegal miners recently died at the Eland shaft as a result of smoke inhalation during an underground fire.

Committee chairperson Freddie Adams told Mining Weekly that the aim of the visit was for the committee to familiarise itself with the circumstances and issues surrounding illegal mining before debating the issue in the National Assembly.

Adams stated that a stakeholders’ meeting was likely to take place soon, after which the committee would meet with the National Council of Provinces and the National Assembly. A full report would then be compiled and submitted to Parliament.

Adams stated that the committee was looking at all avenues of possible recourse against illegal mining, and would support any decision made by the Mining Minister.

“At the moment, legislation is very vague in terms of illegal mining. They can only catch them and charge them for trespassing; the trespassers then pay a fine and they are released the next day. But these guys are so sophisticated, I would say that we need to have legislation put in place,” Adams said. He noted that the committee was also in support of attempts by mining houses to root out illegal mining and corruption.

“Illegal mining and corruption are robbing the country of economic and financial support. But not only that – it also has a very negative impact on the communities surrounding the mines.”

Speaking to Mining Weekly after the commit- tee’s visit to the Eland shaft, Harmony described government’s response to the issue of illegal mining as “refreshing”.

“It is refreshing to hear that they are so eager to solve this problem and that the issues around criminal mining will not remain unchallenged,” said spokesperson Marian van der Walt.

She stated that the committee would also be approaching government departments, such as the Department of Home Affairs, as some of the issues overlapped. “We, as mine management, are extremely impressed with the assistance that this issue is receiving from everyone.”

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