Little over three weeks ago the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (NPA AFU) obtained three orders granting the unit permission to seize assets worth some R18 million from alleged illegal mining kingpins. This gesture sends a clear message that illegal mining will be dealt with thoroughly.

Hosted by Pinpoint Stewards the annual Mine Security conference will take place at the Indaba Hotel on 19 and 20 June, bringing stakeholders together to collaborate on various mining threats. The theme for this year’s conference will be: protecting mineral resources & infrastructure by applying stronger mine security measures through intelligence sharing.

The two-day conference will address a multitude of critical topics such as: An update on specialized units working together to deal with illegal mining and being pro-active rather than re-active will be provided by, Major General Alfred Khana, Component Head: Serious Organised Crime Investigations, Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation.  Lyle Pienaar, Executive: Risk and Security, Pan African Resources will be addressing organised crime in South Africa and the paradigm shift that is required.  Focussing on theft of PGMS and responsibilities of employers towards organized crime will be Mike Nelson, Group Head: Impala Security, Impala Platinum. Wayne Hackart, General Manager, Anglo American Platinum Security will in turn, highlight the securitization of industries to change in dynamic and security requirements. Tackling financial intelligence gathering to strengthen investigations and prosecutions relating to illegal mining will be discussed by Adv Elaine Moonsamy, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, National Organised Crime Coordinator, NPA, and addressing the NPA’s role in rooting out illegal mining will be Adv Jacob Serepo, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Coordinator: Organised Crime NPA (DPP-Gauteng Local Division, Jhb). 

A panel discussion comprising of industry experts: Nash Lutchman, Independent mining security and law enforcement professional, Thys de Beer, Group Security and Forensic Investigations Manager: SA Operations, Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, Major General Ebrahim Ahmed Kadwa, Provincial Head: DPCI Gauteng, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and Elfin Harmse, Vice President Protection Services SA Gold Operations, Sibanye Stillwater, will focus on collaboration efforts between the mining sector, authorities and solution and security providers in a bid to secure mines.

Bidvest Protea Coin and UDS have joined the conference as silver sponsors and exhibitor and during the demo sessions, Safer City Group will share their approach in creating safer mines with technology and security enabling solutions.

To further encourage engagement, a “Mine Security Network SA” group was created by the organisers on LinkedIn as an action point from last year’s conference.  It is a closed group, and participants will be included on request only with linked interests.

To participate or to receive a full conference brochure, contact Pinpoint Stewards on email info@pinpointstewards.co.za