OPINION | SA needs a specialist police unit to deal with 'military precision' illegal mining
The South African mining sector is facing an unprecedented crisis in security and crime. The sector is plagued by the criminal syndicates which comprise the procurement and transport extortion mafia, the copper theft mafia, and those who are involved in the illegal mining of products from operating mines, from derelict and ownerless mines, and from old dumps.
While the Minerals Council commends the police for their swift action in making arrests of more than 80 men, it is critical that there are successful prosecutions for those who perpetrated these heinous acts. Gender-based violence and femicide is a deeply problematic issue in our society and needs an urgent intervention from all sectors of our country.
As stated, there are several other security issues besides illegal mining, namely product theft, organised attacks on precious metals facilities, most of which have links to organised crime and global criminal syndicates. These issues are often accompanied by illegal land invasions, destruction of and sabotage of critical infrastructure, underground fires, mine stoppages and a wide range of other related criminal offences such as murder, kidnapping and extortion.
The number of illegal miners is difficult to assess because illicit extraction of minerals has spread beyond gold into chrome, coal, diamonds, and other minerals. The problem is compounded by poor economic conditions and job prospects in South Africa’s neighbouring countries from which it historically drew mining labour. As mining companies increasingly turn to neighbouring communities for labour, reducing the migrant component of its workforces, former miners are sought after by criminal syndicates for their experience and knowledge of SA's underground mines.
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