Illegal mining: End in sight for Florida?

There is good news on the horizon for residents of Florida South.

A meeting between stakeholders on October 30 at the open veld behind Poole Street has revealed that plans to permanently halt Illegal mining are finally picking up steam.

Illegal mining has been a major concern in the area for a long time with the notorious zama zamas (illegal miners) exploiting nearly every open piece of land to dig for gold, causing untold havoc on infrastructure such as water pipes, electricity cables, and even gas and fuel pipelines.

It is common knowledge that these zama zamas guard the spaces where they work jealously, meaning that locals dare not set foot in these open spaces.

Fighting over territory is also rife, and the well-armed zama zamas are by no means shy when it comes to pulling the trigger, with police admitting to regularly coming upon bodies strewn in the veld as a result of the latest fight over lucrative gold fields.

According to the head of corporate affairs for West Wits Mining, Tozama Kulati Siwisa, their funding has finally been approved, meaning that legal underground operations mining can begin early next year.

“Once our budget is received, we will deploy additional security measures, working closely with the police, resident’s associations, and other stakeholders to secure the area and make it safe for residents once again.”

While West Wits plans to carry out underground mining operations, a second project above ground is set to be launched.

The entire area is set to be developed as a solar farm, generating much-needed electricity in a country where the demand is fast outstripping supply and the official entities increasingly find themselves under strain.

According to Florida South Residents Association chairperson Rodney Churchyard, it is currently foreseen that the solar project will take up the entire area between Nadine Street in the east, to Hebbard Street in the west.

“This entire area is currently the territory of zamaz amas,” says Churchyard adding, “Ridding the area of illegal miners and putting up legitimate operations will go a long way toward making our neighbourhood safer for residents, who regularly have to endure gunshots close to their homes as the illegal miners fight for territory.”

The station commander of the Florida police, Colonel Amos Tsotsetsi, has committed himself to carrying out regular operations to combat illegal mining in this area in the meantime.

Watch this space for more as this story develops.