Illegal mining rumours refuted
Upon visiting the site, the NEWS saw deep shafts on the parts where excavating had not begun.
Work has begun in Tunney to prepare the piece of land along Essex Street for development.
This is according to a statement made by the land owners, iProp Limited, following concerns by residents and motorists that illegal mining activities were taking place on the land.
In August, the SAPS and security companies arrested and charged 30 men for mining at the site illegally.
Mr Richard Bennet said although his company only planned to attend to the land at a later stage, they were forced to go in after learning of the illegal mining activities from businesses neighbouring the land.
“The environment had become unsafe for the men themselves and we had take steps,” said Mr Bennet.
He said in making the area safer, the company decided to remove the soil containing the minerals that would be enticing for and sought out by illegal miners.
Mr Fernando Barradas said his company, Omni Project, was contracted to excavate the soil from the site and prepare the land for development.
“The community should not think we are here to mine illegally. We have a duty to conduct a site clean up which includes excavating and leveling the ground,” he said.
Asked how long it would be before the land was developed, Mr Bennet said timing was dependent on the final approval from the council.
“It is important to also bear in mind that we had to do all these things way ahead of time because we wanted to clean up and make sure lives are not lost in territorial fights by illegal miners,” said Mr Bennet.
Upon visiting the site, the NEWS saw deep shafts at the parts where excavating had not begun.
The Bedfordview SAPS spokesperson, Warrant Officer Mduduzi Nhlabathi, said the SAPS is continuing to monitor the area for any suspicious activity. He encouraged residents to contact the Sector 3 patrol for any suspicious activity.
Sector 3 covers Meadowdale, Meadowbrook, Klopperpark, Elandsfontein and Tunney. The vehicles for this sector can be contacted on 071 675 6889 or 071 675 6890.
The sector manager for the area is W/O Thabakgolo Diale, who can be contacted on 082 778 7626.
