Illegal mining cost South Africa R60 billion in 2024 alone. This was revealed by Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe yesterday, during the release of last year’s Mine Health and Safety Stats.

Illegal mining cost South Africa R60 billion in 2024 alone

This comes shortly after police concluded operations at an unused mine in Stilfontein, where more than 1 900 miners were brought to the surface. Mantashe says illegal mining is a war on the country’s economy.

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The number of deaths recorded in the mining industry saw a drop

At the same time, the Minister said that the number of deaths recorded in the mining industry dropped last year. However, there was an increase in fiscal losses. Minister Mantashe says illicit mining costs the country roughly R60 billion.

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Fewer deaths were recorded in the mining sector last year

He has added that fewer deaths were recorded in the industry. In 2023, 55 deaths were reported. Last year, 42 people died in the mining industry.

THIS ARTICLE WAS COMPILED BY MERENTIA VAN DER VENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH CAITLIN MALEDO.