Illegal mining operations: 76 mines mining without water licenses

4 October 2023

AfriForum insists on immediate action and accountability regarding the recent revelation that 76 mines in South Africa are operating without the required water licenses in several of South Africa’s largest rivers. These facts are shocking and raise urgent questions about the effectiveness of the government’s regulation of mining operations and the protection of South Africa’s water resources.

The revelation by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) that ten of these illegal mines are active in the Vaal River, which supplies water to millions of people in Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga, North West and the Free State, is particularly worrying. “The Vaal River is a vital source of drinking water and livelihood for a large part of our population. We cannot allow this precious resource to be threatened,” says Lambert de Klerk, manager of Environmental Affairs at AfriForum.

AfriForum considers it unacceptable that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and DWS do not communicate effectively, and that the authorities were not aware of these illegal practices in time. This shows a serious lack of coordination and supervision of these operations, which have a direct impact on communities and their environment.

De Klerk is of the opinion that all illegal mining operations must be suspended immediately, while a thorough investigation of each of these cases takes place. “We insist that severe fines be imposed on the companies that have violated these laws, and that they be held fully accountable for their actions.”

“Unfortunately, this is only one aspect of illegal mining operations in South Africa. There are many of these types of mining operations across South Africa that are not regulated – such as where mines mine beyond their permissible limits and so on,” De Klerk continues.

“We also want to know where the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment is in this situation. It is essential that they play a role in ensuring the long-term environmental sustainability of these operations and that they act strictly against any harmful impact that there may be on the environment.”

AfriForum is determined to uphold the rights of communities and the protection of the environment. The organisation will follow up on this case to ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable for their harmful actions.

Issued by Lambert de Klerk, Manager: Environmental Affairs, AfriForum, 4 October 2023