(a) Illegal mining of chrome in Witrankie is one of the Department’s priority areas. In order to address illegal mining in the village, intelligence led operations were conducted with members of the SAPS and the Hawks. As a result of those operations, cases were opened, and arrests made. There are continuous disruptive operations conducted by the Department and SAPS given the extent of illegal mining in the area.
(b) The profile of illegal mining in South Africa is such that it is dominated by illegal immigrants. Illegal miners cannot be transformed into small scale miners. The Department through its Small-scale division only assists potential miners who intend operating within the boundaries of the law.