“As more holes and open shafts are discovered, they are sealed, but we need better, more sustainable methods which will close these openings permanently,” said the Minister in a press release.
“Illegal mining has economic implications and long-term rehabilitation implications, and this is why we must continue to fight it from all angles.”
She said this includes tougher charges and sentencing for illegal miners who have been arrested.
Shabangu met with officials from the Department of Mineral Resources, officials from Ekurhuleni, mining companies, the Council of Geoscience and the Ekurhuleni MMC for community safety, Mthuthuzeli Siboza, on February 21.
The meeting followed the rescue of 25 illegal miners who were trapped in a ventilation shaft on the corner of Range View and Snake roads, last month.
The Minister urged the Gauteng Illegal Mining Stakeholders’ Forum to find more sustainable methods for the closure of open holes and shafts, as well as tunnels underground, to prevent illegal miners from reopening sealed access points.
The ventilation shaft, from which the 25 surfaced, was due to be sealed on March 3 by the Gold One mining company.
