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Gold galore in Pigg's Peak?

08/01/2012 00:00:00 NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA
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PIGG’S PEAK – The gold mine situated here is now
operating. However, there are serious loopholes in as far as security is concerned.

Residents say there are possibilities that some of the gold nuggets are being sold to people outside the country by some of the workers.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy is now aware of this.

Already employed by Swaziland Mining Ventures are 21 people.

Some employees allegedly sell gold nuggets at night.

Concerned residents have since made attempts to informing officials at the ministry, asking them to conduct an inspection.

worried

A resident told the Times SUNDAY that foreign-registered vehicles were visiting the mine from time to time something that has kept them worried.

"In most cases, these vehicles come on weekends when it is quiet at the mine," said the resident.

"We fear that the workers might be selling the gold."

The Times SUNDAY visited the gold mine and some employees were found preparing the site where the company’s plant would be built.

At the entrance to the mine premises, there is a boom gate but no security guard to attend to visitors.

There is also no security fence or wall around the premises.

About four employees were found at the mine clearing part of the site where the company would set up its plant.

Some of the workers were reportedly deep in the shafts, cleaning them in preparation for the official opening of the mine. One of the workers said they had been told to clean the shafts because work would start soon.

"As you can see, the plant is currently being constructed and we hope to finish it before the end of February," said the employee.

"There are other workers inside the shafts who are busy with the clean up as the site where the gold is, should be cleared."

Asked if the allegations that some of the workers were already selling the gold nuggets, the employee said although he was not among the workers who were busy with the shaft clearing, he did not believe this was happening.

"We are not allowed to take any gold nuggets and therefore, I do not believe that this would be true," said the employee.

"If it is true, it would mean some of us are in danger of losing our jobs. Those who are in the shafts are supposed to be cleaning them, not digging for gold."

Willie Koekemoer confirmed that there were employees who were already inside the shafts.

cleaning

However, he said, they were only cleaning the shafts as they have not yet started mining.

"There are currently 21 employees here and some of them are inside the shafts," he said.

"The mining has not yet started but the only thing that is happening is that we are busy clearing the shafts. The people working under the shafts are not allowed to dig gold nuggets but they are only expected to clear the shafts."

Asked about the allegations that some of the gold nuggets were being taken out the country, Koekemoer said he was not aware.

"As you can see, the plant is still being prepared and we have not yet started mining because some of our equipment has not yet arrived," he said.

"We hope that the plant will be ready by March this year so that at least by April we begin work. If there are employees who are doing so, they are doing it illegally.

The mine is still not yet fully operational and this will be until everything has been put in place."

Meanwhile, Thembinkosi Mamba, Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy’s Principal Secretary (PS) said they were aware of rumours that unrefined gold nuggets from some of the mining companies that had been given licences were being smuggled out of the country.

"There is nothing official that has been brought to us but we have had people talking about the matter you are asking about," he said.

"As a ministry, we have always tried to make serious site supervisions now and again. If there is anyone who has information, our offices are open and that person should inform us."

The PS said those in the mining industry should stick to the rules and regulations given to them when they were granted the licence.

"There are certain rules they have to follow and it is important that they do so at all costs," he said.

"We always encourage investors to do everything accordingly. In order for the ministry to be in a position to work with them, they should also comply with the necessary rules."

Meanwhile, Sam Sibusiso Ntshalin-tshali, Government’s Mining Engineer, said the mining department had an obligation to inspect all mining operations to ensure they operated within the ambits of the law.

"Swaziland Mining Ventures (Pty) Limited is not an exception," he said.

"There are unannounced regular inspections carried out in the Pigg’s Peak operation."

obligation

He said security was supposed to be provided by the company especially for the plant and property which would be an obligation for mine management and mineral concerned.

"This aspect is covered in the Mines and Minerals Act," he said.

"In the case of Swazi Mining Ventures (Pty) Limited, the company is at the construction phase and is being established.

"This includes the opening up of the old pits to access them and eventually start production."

55 years more for mine?

PIGG’S PEAK - Willie Koekemoer, a manager at Swaziland Mining Ventures says the company could mine gold for the next 55 years.

Koekemoer said this after being asked about the quantity of gold in the mine.

underground

Although Koekemoer did not want to elaborate, he said there were a number of shafts underground, long enough to produce that much gold.

"There are a lot of gold nuggets and if given an opportunity, we could mine for the next 55 years."

Sam Sibusiso Ntshalintshali, Govern-ment’s Mining Engineer, said the history of gold mining in Swaziland dated back to 1882 when the first concession was granted to a James Forbes.

"The history of gold is therefore very old and the mining of same could extend for a while depending on other factors," he said.

"The known reserves or deposits on the mine will cover the period of the granted Mining Lease."

...Work permits concern

PIGG’S PEAK – An inspector from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security recently visited the mine to investigate if employees had work permits.

This was after the ministry had received information that some of the employees were not Swazis.

At first, Mbuso Mamba, the inspector, had difficulty convincing the company’s management to show him if their employees had the permits they were looking for.

Phil Murphy, one of the managers, told Mamba that he would not give him any of the documents he was looking for.

The uncompromising officer told the manager that he was going to stop the workers from working as it would mean they were in the country illegally.

argument

After a long argument, the inspector was eventually shown the permits and this was after the other manager Willie Koekemoer, had been called.

It was discovered that only four employees were foreigners from Lesotho and had work permits that were expected to be renewed at the end of December.

Mamba said he had gone to check if the company was complying with all labour laws.

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