Explosions linked to illegal mining alarm Meadowdale residents
Community members report blasts heard across several suburbs as activity increases at an old mine shaft.
Concerns regarding illegal mining in Meadowdale have been reignited following a reported increase in activity near Mount Zion.
According to Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerriero, the mine shaft being used by the illegal miners is located near Essex Street and runs under several companies in the area.
In 2022, Guerriero said the illegal mining activity was discovered on the property of a private business.
He said it was discovered by security personnel patrolling the property.
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Guerriero said the businesses and surrounding businesses have expressed concerns about the safety of their staff and property.
“SAPS, EMPD, DEMS and the Department for Minerals Resources and Energy are working on the problem,” said Guerreiro.
According to him, several operations have been conducted by stakeholders involved; however, the illegal activity continues to occur.
Guerreiro said that although activity at the shaft had been fairly quiet for several months, activity recently renewed with some residents in the area claiming to hear between six and eight explosions a night.
He said residents in Highway Gardens, Harmelia, Klopperpark and Buurendal had heard explosions.
Guerreiro is of the opinion that most of the illegal operations and movement to and from the mine shaft occur during the evening.
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While the NEWS was with Guerreiro at Mount Zion, which overlooks the mine shaft, several individuals could be seen walking near the shaft with one person carrying a water container.
Guerreiro said the illegal miners have siphoned water from one of the businesses in the area.
“From what local security has told me, the illegal miners are staying in the shaft,” said Guerreiro.
He said the old mine runs from Meadowdale to Primrose.
“What’s happening underneath no one knows, the problem is it is not like this has not been reported.”
Guerreiro said initially it was suspected that there were approximately 200 individuals involved in the illegal mining activity in Meadowdale; however, those numbers are suspected to have increased.
“It is estimated that there are between 300 and 400 people in the shaft, this includes men, women and from what I have been told, even children.”
He said it is believed that those involved in the illegal mining activity are heavily armed.
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“Every time I get here, the situation seems to be worse.”
Guerreiro said he has submitted a petition regarding the illegal mining, which went to parliament.
“Parliament acknowledged the petition and said they would get SAPS, the SANDF, Crime Intelligence and the Illegal Mining Unit involved, but nothing further has come of it,” said Guerreiro.
He said the community and businesses need urgent assistance to assess what is occurring in the shaft before there is a murder or a building collapses.
A request for comment was sent to Gauteng SAPS and the Department for Mineral Resources and Energy on March 6, requesting comment by March 9 at 10:00.
At the time of going to print, no comment was received.
