Gold mine re-opens this year
14/03/2014 02:04:00 By Baphelele Kunene
imageCURIOUS: Manzini North MP Jan Sithole.
The re-opening of the gold mine which operated years ago in Pigg’s Peak will take place sometime this year.
This is according to tabled responses from the ministry of natural resources and energy on concerns raised by members of parliament during a debate on the ministry’s performance report.
According to the ministry, Swazi Mining Ventures (SMV) was still going about preparations which included re-opening of the old workings, stabilising the mine to make it safe.
Within the mine, there will also be construction of a treatment plant to process the gold.
Members of parliament had raised concerns over gold that was allegedly being stolen at the mine by some people who were involved in illegal trading.
This followed reports by one publication that the mine had allegedly started operating with a number of loopholes.
sold
Residents quoted in the report revealed that some of the gold nuggets were being sold to people outside the country by some of the workers stationed at the mine at night.
Foreign registered vehicles reportedly visited the mine from time to time something that worried the residents.
The ministry said it was aware of the allegations as they had heard about them but there was nothing which had been officially reported to them.
Already employed by SMV are 21 people, according to the report.
The company was said to be at the construction phase.
The report by the minister also highlighted that there were two companies attached to the mine.
programme
It further stated that the exploration programme had been under supervision by geologists employed by the ministry.
Amongst the legislators who were curious about the mine was Manzini North MP Jan Sithole who mentioned that the country needed to make use and maximise on the national mines because a number of countries had gained their wealth from mines. He said it was for this reason that countries such as Botswana were excelling in their economies because they had made use of the natural resources.
Chiefs to regulate gravel soil mining
DIGGING up gravel soil without permission from a chief, prince or princess has been described as an illegal act which is punishable by law.
This is at least according to the ministry of natural resources and energy.
“Gravel soil is a mineral governed by the Mines and Minerals Act and illegal mining is handled by the police where illegal activities are dealth with and culprits brought to book.” The ministry works in collaboration with Nkhanini office in enforcing compliance.
According to a report from the ministry, traditional authorities have the first call in giving permission on the land they oversee to a miner before the miner applies for permission from the ministry.
The ministry follows and grants the permit as per the recommendation of the traditional authorities. A capacity challenge to inspect and enforce compliance on the mining sites was said to exist within the ministry, hence the collaboration with community elders. Even though this challenge was said to exist in the ministry, the minister did mention that they worked closely with the police to enforce the Mines and Minerals Act to stop illegal mining.
Minister ‘disowns’ E10 million water project
MINISTER of Natural Resources Jabulile Mashwama has come out to state that she was not aware of a E10 million water project for KaLuhleko.
The project was revealed by Ngwemphisi Member of Parliament Veli Shongwe who stated that the former minister Princess Tsandzile had launched a water supply project at KaLuhleko.
Shongwe wanted to know what happened to the project because from the time the community was informed, there had been no progress.
In response, Mashwama said her ministry was not aware of any project billed to take place in the said area.
“The ministry is not aware of E10 million water supply project for KaLuhleko,” read the response.
On the other hand, the MP had complained about the rate at which the Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) was implementing projects.
However, the ministry felt that SEC had improved its implementation pace more especially with the electrification projects.
“The company has increased the number of sub-contractors engaged with the electrification projects.”
However, some of the delays, the minister said could be attributed to environmental studies which require realignment and routing of proposed electricity lines. On the one hand she mentioned that government through SEC was working on a number of options to increase local generation in the country.
She said some of the potential projects were already at feasibility study stage.
