By:Parliament

The committee singled out these two mines as part of its oversight visit in Gauteng, focusing on mine health and safety, as well as illegal mining. Both mines said that a substantial portion of their capital expenditure is invested in strengthening operational efficiency underpinned by employee safety.

The committee also welcomed efforts by Sibanye Stillwater to put measures in place to independently source 600 megawatts of renewable energy. The committee believes this initiative will not only ameliorate pressure on the national grid but will also contribute to a just energy transition. Sibanye Stillwater said that energy is its biggest cost driver, followed by water and security. It requires 750 megawatts to run daily operations.

In the 2024 financial year, Sibanye Stillwater has retrenched 12 000 workers due to operations being mined out. Meanwhile, Harmony Gold has not retrenched workers in recent past.

The committee is particularly alarmed by a developing practice on the part of mining companies to ban food from being taken underground as a measure to arrest illegal mining activities. According to Sibanye Stillwater and Harmony Gold, some workers take lunchboxes underground to sell to illegal miners at exorbitant prices. It is believed that illegal miners can remain underground for three to four weeks, making illicit food trading a lucrative business.

“In most instances, underground workers work for eight hours on rotational shifts, and this practice of banning food borders on a violation of their human rights. We call on the Chief Inspector of Mines to address this issue at the level of Minerals Council South Africa,” said the Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mikateko Mahlaule.

Tomorrow, the committee will conduct inspections of illegal mining sites in Ekurhuleni.

ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES, MR MIKATEKO MAHLAULE. 

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:

Name: Mr Justice Molafo

Cell: 081 424 7481

Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za