Parliament, Tuesday, 27 January 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has urged the Eastern Cape office of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) in relation to sand mining.
The committee considers it unacceptable that compliance has been lax, leading to the illegal mining of sand from estuaries, rivers and coastal areas.
“We consider the escalating illegal sand mining to be concerning and an area requiring strong enforcement by the department. In Gqeberha, the committee visited a sand-mining company that has delayed the conversion of its old-order mining licence to a new-order mining right under the MPRDA. Seventeen years for an administrative process is far too long and opens the system to abuse,” said committee Chairperson Mr Mikateko Mahlaule.
While acknowledging the impact of human-resource challenges within the provincial department, the committee emphasised that the department must enforce the law without emotion. This includes implementing the provisions of the MPRDA, such as criminal prosecution, administrative fines and the suspension of licences. The committee further urged companies to adhere to regulatory requirements or risk losing their mining rights, as required by law.
Regarding the company in Gqeberha, the committee has given both the company and the department two weeks to resolve the outstanding issues to ensure compliance. These include, among others, the submission of sound social and labour plans, the adequate establishment of community mining trusts and the implementation of a rehabilitation plan for the illegally mined section of the property.
Meanwhile, the committee has urged the department to strengthen its developmental communication efforts to ensure that artisanal and small-scale mining companies are compliant and contribute to economic development in affected areas.
“We are aware that many companies, especially in rural areas, believe that sand mining is not regulated and that no application process is required. This misconception can only be addressed through enhanced communication with the public,” Mr Mahlaule emphasised.
The committee will tomorrow move to Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, where its initial engagement will be with the department’s regional office. Discussions will include an overview of the mining industry in KwaZulu-Natal, licensing and related challenges, and illegal mining activities, including illegal sand-mining operations.
The full oversight programme can be downloaded here: https://tinyurl.com/pf7bxryd
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINERALS AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES, Mr MIKATEKO MAHLAULE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairpersons, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
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E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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