Gold mining ‘barred’ in Harding amid safety fears
It will take around two months for test results to confirm if the mineral is in fact gold.
Two months – that’s how long it is expected to take geologists from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Mineral Resources to determine whether or not Harding is the new ‘City of Gold’.
So said Tourism MEC Sihle Zikalala, speaking during a visit to the area last weekend.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : ‘Gold fever’ hits Harding hard
The visit followed claims that gold had been found in a local quarry, which sparked a flood of people swarming to the area, all desperate to get their piece of the action.
According to the MEC, geologists are yet to determine whether the sample found in Harding and sent for testing is in fact gold, or gold’s poor relation, the aptly named ‘fool’s gold’, also known as iron pyrite.
Until then all mining activities have been halted.
The decision to stop the mining was taken by government and community leaders in KwaMachi following serious concerns that these operations were putting the lives of the informal miners in danger as the conditions were unsafe.
“The illegal mining was also causing unnecessary tensions among villagers who compete for mining space,” said Mr Zikalala, adding that children missing school was also a concern.
“We have been told that some children no longer go to school. They spend the whole day at the mine and sell stones. This has to end. We have been assured by the law enforcement agencies that the decisions we have taken will be enforced.”
The MEC also said there was no evidence as yet that what is being mined was real gold.
Port Shepstone police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid has also issued a warning against people who are spraying gold paint onto pieces of rock and selling these as the real thing.
“We want to caution community members not to fall prey to this scam but to report it immediately to the nearest police station. Under no circumstances must they pay any money to theses fraudsters,” she said.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
