Stilfontein: Activist says there needs to be a change in how artisanal mining is viewed

CAPE TOWN - The struggle of the Stilfontein miners has been brought to the attention of delegates at the Mining Indaba.

About 40 activists staged a picket outside the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) to bring attention to the rights of miners.

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The unused Stillfontein mine made headlines when illegal miners were reported to be underground, some who were as young as 14 years old.

One of the activists said there needed to be a change in how artisanal mining was viewed.

"Understand that the criminalisation of illegal mining or artisanal mining is a product of our system and holding government, police, and the mining company responsible for this."

She added that mining companies must also play their part.

"I mean, in Stilfontein, it was a decommissioned mine, but there's a responsibility on the mining company to ensure that that is cordoned off and rehabilitated, and that obviously didn't happen."