Stringent penalties for illegal mining looming

Hefty fines are looming for illegal miners, the Minister of Minerals and Energy has announced at this year’s Future of Mining Summit.Addressing over 500 delegates at the 2nd edition of the Summit, a platform for dialogue, networking and thought leadership, Minister Bogolo Kenewendo indicated that the raft of changes to be made on the Mines and Minerals Act, includes penalties hike.“We will increase some penalties for illegal mining, because we are seeing the rise of illegal mining, particularly in the North-Eastern side of the country, where there are gold deposits,” said Kenewendo. Kenewendo said the new Mines and Minerals Act will also stimulate more citizen participation in the mining sector.The proposed law will also see government increase its percentage stake in mining operations from the current 15 percent to 24 percent. Under the current Act government has the right to acquire a 15 percent stake in newly licensed non-diamond mining operations.“We are also saying that this stake can be passed on to Batswana and citizen owned companies where government chooses not to participate,” said Kenewendo. Turning to the private sector, Kenewendo said government desires to see the Future of Mining Summit grow into an internationally recognised event.“We want to see this platform grow and evolve into one of the most influential mining conference, not just in Africa but across the world,” said Kenewendo, adding that the desires are in line with the country’s reputation in the mining industry.She said the country must use her creditability to build and lead the global conversation in the mining sector’s next chapter. “There is absolutely no reason why the world should not converge here to dialogue on initiatives to shape the mining industry.Organisers of the Summit have indicated that the numbers of exhibitors and sponsors for the event have significantly increased from 470 to 600 delegates and from 16 sponsors to 27. This year the summit was held under the theme: ‘New Opportunities, Smart Partnerships’, and fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders in the mining sector.

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Stringent penalties for illegal mining looming