Heated meeting with sand miners

A workshop for sand mining operators last week got heated when a local sand miner accused the department of mineral resources of corruption.

The woman, who introduced herself as Mrs Mzoneli, said she applied for rights to mine near the Umvoti River in 2009 but another businessman is mining using her license. She accused the department of failing to deliver basic services to local sand miners, saying the man renewed her permit without her consent.

Several other complaints surfaced at the workshop, hosted by the KwaDukuza municipality to engage with local sand mining operators.

“Departmental officials come to our area, take money from illegal miners and leave. We have seen them,” said one attendee, who wished to remain anonymous.

Another operator, also wishing to be anonymous, said the municipality does not provide feedback regarding complaints and is not concerned about regulating illegal sand winning.

“Our aim is to engage and empower this industry. We want these issues to come up so we can better capacitate our miners,” said KDM’s Mava Ntanta.

Ntanta said council’s concerns include a lack of information on operators, the negative impact of mining on the environment and the municipality’s exclusion in the sand mining process. He admitted that between 50 to 80% of sand mining in KwaDukuza is illegal. This takes place around the six perennial rivers in the municipality, including Nonoti, Umvoti, Umhlali, Zinkwazi, Seteni and Umdloti.

Ncamisile Mtshali from the department of mineral resources explained the correct application procedure .

“You must provide all relevant documentation and be transparent with us. If you default, we will issue an order to stop mining,” she said.

For more information the department can be contacted on 031-3359600.