While events at the abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein again put illegal mining front and centre in recent days, the North West province is an increasingly attractive location to zama zamas in search of chrome, diamonds and platinum.
According to Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, the province is home to 1041 “derelict and ownerless (D&O)” mines.
Nompumelelo Mhlongo, National Assembly (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), asked specifically about the number of abandoned and/or closed mines in the Rustenburg area, and which land rehabilitation programmes were underway to ensure community safety. However, Mhlongo was informed that government statistics do not make provision for towns and cities, and are based on provincial rankings.
In order to prevent illegal mining and ensure environmental management and community safety, Mhlongo was informed rehabilitation of D&O mines is underway. Mantashe noted that the programme was embarked on to seal unsafe mine shafts throughout the country. However, Mantashe’s reply gives no numbers regarding the rehabilitation or shaft sealing, but noted there is a priority ranking in place “especially in close proximity to human settlements”.
Mantashe’s response noted the department is committed to annually rehabilitating three asbestos mines and closing 40 unsafe mine shafts/openings. However, “the number of mines to be rehabilitated is determined by the funding from the National Treasury, which is currently not adequate,” noted Mantashe.
