27 Mar 2025

The Ministry of Minerals and Energy is aware of illegal gold mining activities around Francistown, Matsiloje and surrounding villages in the old mining shafts that predate independence.

Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday on behalf of the Minister of Minerals and Energy, the Assistant Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe said the ministry had since learnt that illegal mining was also cross border criminal activity, where illegal miners from neighbouring countries near the affected areas impacted on the livelihoods of local communities where they occur.

He said the ministry had escalated the matter to the stakeholders, especially security organs for assistance, as this had become a national security problem.

Furthermore, he said the ministry continued to identify and rehabilitate old mines by sealing them, albeit with limited resources.

He said Patayamatebele and Matsiloje rehabilitation project was completed in 2022, but there were reports of vandalism by removing the cappings that cover the shafts.

MP for Tati East, Mr Tlhabologo Furniture, had asked the minister to update Parliament on illegal mining happening in the Matsiloje area and measures in place to prevent this. ENDS