Govt announces Bill aimed at cracking down on illegal mining
Updated Aug. 11, 2026, 6:41 p.m. | By Cliff Shiko Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced a major legal crackdown on illegal mining with the…
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Updated Aug. 11, 2026, 6:41 p.m. | By Cliff Shiko
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced a major legal crackdown on illegal mining with the introduction of the General Mining Laws Amendment Bill.
The proposed legislation seeks to criminalise illegal mining operations.
Under the new laws, offenders could face severe penalties, including up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to R100 million.
The Bill, together with the Legal Practice Amendment Bill and the Regulation of Trusts Bill and Conspiracy, Instigation and Incitement to Commit Offence Bill, has been gazetted for public comment.
The closing date for submissions is 11 September 2026.
Briefing the media in Pretoria on Tuesday, Minister Kubayi said the amendments are aimed at strengthening South Africa’s policy and legislative framework.
Illegal miners, also known as “zama zamas”, operate illegally in closed or active mines, extracting minerals such as gold and chrome without authorisation.
Communities affected by illegal mining continue to face harm due to increased illicit mining activities.
Illicit mining has been linked to serious crimes, including kidnapping, human trafficking, mass murder, child labour and forced labour targeting undocumented foreign nationals.
"The Bill does not seek to criminalise authorised artisanal miners, meaning small-scale miners with permits, from engaging in mining activities," said Kubayi.
"Illicit mining has negative effects on communities in and around mining towns, damages the infrastructure of affected areas such as underground water pipes, which then affects water security, and poses a serious threat to the safety and security of the affected communities, in many instances where we saw sinkholes," she added.
Meanwhile, 14 suspected illegal miners, most believed to be Lesotho nationals, died following a rock fall at a mine dumping site in Nkaneng, near Rustenburg in the North West on Tuesday.
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