MINING SECURITY
SA’s R400 billion mining industry and its mega security challenges Spread over and under vast tracts of land throughout South Africa, mines, which according to the Minerals Council of South Africa, contributed around R400 billion to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in 2020 and employ an estimated 450,000 people, are extremely difficult premises to safeguard. Aside from the age-old challenges of theft, illegal mining and staff management, mines now have to factor the Covid-19 pandemic into their business plans too.
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ining industry worldwide: statistics and facts As with most industries, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted heavily on the global mining sector, according to market and consumer data provider, Statista. “The dependency of various high-techindustries on rare earths is a recent issue — coal, on the other hand, is still one of the leading global energy resources. Consequently, the mining sector is pivotal
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to the world’s economy. Mining companies and mine employees endured temporary mine closures in line with some countries’ lockdown regulations, outbreaks of the virus at work sites, and other issues during 2020, in relation to the pandemic.” Major challenges “The mining industry’s performance has been disrupted by criminal activities, community unrest, activities of procurement mafia and poor service delivery at municipal level,” says Roger Baxter, CEO of the Minerals Council South
SECURITY FOCUS AFRICA SEPTEMBER 2021
Africa. “Illegal mining is a multi-billionrand industry, and it is a considerable problem for the mining sector. Not only does it represent significant challenges and threats to national security and socioeconomic development, but it also increases the risk of the establishment of alternative and illicit economies.” “Illicitly produced commodities are fed into the illegal market where the government loses out on royalties, income tax and value added tax. It also increases vulnerability to transitional organised crimes, and other serious cross-border
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