The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has called on Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba to implement a province-wide plan to address illegal mining activities, which the party says are spreading across all five districts.
DA Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism spokesperson Jacques Smalle says a preliminary review by the party has identified more than 50 illegal mining sites or nodes across the province, with at least 19 hotspot clusters where activities allegedly continued or returned despite interventions.
The DA says raids and arrests alone have not stopped illegal mining, calling for a multi-sector approach targeting the entire illegal mining value chain, including financiers, transporters, processors and buyers.
The party highlighted areas including Atok in Sekhukhune, where it says illegal chrome mining remains a concern, the Sand River region in Vhembe where concerns have been raised over illegal sand mining, and Eerstegoud/Ysterberg in Capricorn where illegal gold mining has been reported.
Smalle says illegal mining has developed into a criminal economy that affects legitimate businesses, communities and government revenue
