The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has welcomed the General Mining Laws Amendment Bill as a key step towards tackling illegal mining in South Africa.

The Union says illegal mining, allegedly driven by heavily armed criminal syndicates, has become a national crisis, threatening lives, communities, legal mining jobs and the environment.

The union federation supports provisions aimed at formalising artisanal and small-scale mining, which it says could create legal employment opportunities while improving training, health and safety.

The Bill proposes tougher penalties for those involved in illegal mining, including syndicate leaders, financiers, buyers and exporters, with maximum sentences of up to 30 years.

Matthew Parks, Union Parliamentary Coordinator  says the legislation will further empower the South African Police Service to investigate, search and seize in illegal mining cases without waiting for an inspector’s intervention.