Illegal mining and associated crimes are estimated to cost the economy well over R60-billion a year, but the effects and implications on South Africa’s economy and overall social standing are immeasurable. As reported, syndicates and illegal miners have no regard for the health and safety of others nor the laws that regulate the industry. In contrast, “desperation for jobs” is the cause and effect voiced by humanitarians and communities. As with all conflicting situations and opinions, one thing is for sure, illegal mining has a negative effect on the mining sector and communities.

Supplied by Pinpoint Stewards

 

A two-day Mine Security Conference on 25-26 June 2025 will bring state organs and mining industry stakeholders together to collaborate under the theme: Improving security risk in SA – a multifaceted approach, organised by South African-owned business, Pinpoint Stewards.

 “Unless a multi-sectoral and multifaceted approached is deployed, the resistance to illegal mining will stand in isolation to one another and without unified efforts and intel sharing, will not be overcome” says Ankia Roux, co-owner of Pinpoints Stewards.  “The conference will bring together, state-,  mine-, public- and private risk and security stakeholders, to not only forge stronger partnerships, but foster collaboration and trust among all forces to ensure faster reporting structures and a co-ordinated approach to tighten the grip on illegal mining syndicates going forward.”

The conference will be chaired by Professor Kris Pillay (PhD) Department of Criminology and Security Science School of Criminal Justice College of Law UNISA. Prof Pillay will also moderate the panel discussion focussing on supporting a multi-sectoral approach by bringing together state, private and mine security forces and authorities.

The conference will include 14 experts specialising in mine security and risk mitigation.

The opening address will be delivered by Lieutenant-General Seswantsho Godfrey Lebeya, National Head of the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), and currently the present chair presiding over the National Priority Crime Operational Committee, which convenes key stakeholders from organisations such as NPA, SIU, FIC, SARS, DPSA, SAPS, BMA, GCIS, DOJCD to name a few.  Lebeya will speak on Understanding Organised Crime, which is also the title of his authored book.

One of the highly rated speakers from last year, Dr Lyle Pienaar will lead with the topic: The need for an integrated and multifaceted mining security strategy from the South African government.  Pienaar, is the executive for Risk and Security at Pan African Resources (PAR) – a mid-tier, multi-jurisdictional gold mining group based in South Africa.

A keynote address will be delivered by Dr Mandla Zembe, who is a Senior Leadership Team member (Security Executive) at Rio Tinto, Richards Bay Minerals and he will take a critical look into community engagement as a strategy to address security issues. With over 35 years of experience in the security field, he holds multiple qualifications, including two master’s degrees and a doctorate in business administration.

In turn, Thys de Beer, the Group Security and Forensic Investigations manager at Harmony Gold Mining Company, spearheading the company’s efforts against illegal mining since 2016, will speak on his practical experience in a sesson entitled, ‘Unravelling Illegal Mining – tactical strategies and frontline lessons from 20 years of experience.

Dr Riaan van der Westhuizen manager Security, Radiation and Communities at Palabora Mining Company (PMC) will evaluate the interaction between technology and security personnel and look at an optimised response. He is a radiation protection specialist but has also been responsible for the security operations at different mines for the past 20 years.

Pieter Alberts of Shared Forensic Capability at the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) will add his expertise and address leveraging financial intelligence and forensics to support the investigation, prosecution and combating of financial crimes in the mining Industry. With over 20 years of law enforcement experience, including roles in the South African Police Service’s Commercial Crime Unit, the Hawks and Deloitte’s risk advisory forensic services, Alberts  specialises in combatting serious commercial and financial crimes.

Other key speakers and panellists include:

  • Dr Michael Masiapato, commissioner Border Management Authority
  • Major General Ebrahim Ahmed Kadwa, provincial head at DPCI Gauteng,
  • Brigadier Steve van Zyl, section head National Keypoints and Border Security within the Component Counter and Security Intelligence Division Crime Intelligence, SAPS Head Office
  • Hulme Scholes, director Malan Scholes Inc
  • Johann Fourie, bid manager Risk & Solutions, Bidvest Protea Coin,
  • Heico Kühn, COO, UAV and Drone Solutions (UDS) – a Bidvest Aviation and Security Cluster
  • Theo Pouroullis CEO, Safer City Group. The conference will showcase tech solutions and security enablers during the exhibition and demonstrations.

Stakeholders are encouraged to join the forum and look at ways to integrate unity, intelligence sharing and collaboration to root out illegal mining syndicates and disrupt the negative impact it has on South Africa’s economic and social standing. 

To register or for a full programme email info@pinpointstewards.co.za or register online at www.pinpointstewards.co.za

Source: supplied by Pinpoint Stewards