Passing of artisanal and small-scale mining policy will inject billions into economy - researcher

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa is losing billions in revenue due to the illegal mining sector, something that can be fixed with the passing of artisanal and small-scale mining policy.

A second draft of the policy was issued for public comment in 2021 and according to mining experts, was meant to be passed into law at the beginning of 2024.

Mining expert and lead researcher at Bench Marks Foundation, David van Wyk, believes the passing of artisanal and small-scale mining policy will inject billions into the economy.

This in light of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of illegal miners who remain underground at a disused mining shaft in Stilfontein, in the North West.

"The country is losing huge amounts of revenue. These guys could be taxed, the revenue created could be immense if you consider that people estimate 15-17 billion rands a year, some people say it’s much more."

He said there were a number of issues that needed to be rectified on the artisanal and small-scale mining policy.

"Where we have a real problem with that document is that it doesn’t allow these guys to operate underground, basically they can only operate on tailings."

He said another issue was that the policy only catered for South Africans when historically, people from neighbouring countries had far more experience in mining in South Africa.