07 Jul 2020

Illegal sand and gravel mining is reported to have become a nightmare in the Ngamiland District.

Some companies that have ventured into the business decry losses at the hands of illegal mining that has befallen the district.

One such company is MC Equipment Hire situated at Sedie ward in Maun, which acquired a mining license last July and was allocated 250 hectares of land at Matlapana area to mine sand and gravel.

In an interview with BOPA, the owner of the company, Mr Othusitse Chombo explained that illegal sand and gravel mining was worrisome in the district, noting that it had negatively affected their operations.

He said he had heavily invested in the business, but it was not yielding expected returns because it was competing with illegal miners.

He said the business would be more profitable if all players followed the correct process. Mr Chombo appreciated that there was a lot of construction going on in the district, lamenting however that illegal miners were benefiting at the expense of the legal ones.

“I have bought expensive machinery, which is now lying idle because my business is moving at a snail’s pace.

A lot of people showed interest to apply for prospective mining licenses, but they have been demoralised now because of illegal mining,” he added.

Mr Chombo revealed that efforts were made to engage relevant authorities to address the issue, but did not bear any fruit as every evening people were spotted mining across the district without permits.

He stressed that excavation of sand continued on a daily basis and wondered why the perpetrators were not brought to book.

The retired soldier said he volunteered to patrol all illegal mining prone areas around Maun, but his efforts came to naught, as no action was taken against the perpetrators, who targeted areas such as Shashe and the water channels.

Mr Chombo’s other concern was that illegal mining could negatively affect the environment, present a hazard for livestock farmers and also disturb the water flow.

In a recent interview, DEA coordinator, Mr Jobe Manga admitted that incidents of illegal mining of gravel and sand were some of the major issues of concern, adding that it had become a nightmare for the district.

The district, he said, experienced a construction boom, which exacerbated the situation, noting that many incidents of illegal mining took place in the evening at different places.

Mr Manga noted that it was unfortunate as the district had fewer borrow pits for sand, gravel and concrete stones.

Asked about the charge for such an offence, he said a person who mines illegally is liable to a P100 000 fine.

He appreciated that collective efforts by different stakeholders were ongoing to address issues of illegal mining and appealed to perpetrators to stop the vice.

Mr Manga explained that one should acquire surface rights from land board, and a mining prospecting license from the Department of Mines in order to engage in mining activities. Ends