UNPACKING – Taking down coal syndicates: The extent of illegal coal mining in SA
Loading player...
GUEST – Hulme Scholes, mining lawyer and company director at Malan Scholes Attorneys
In a significant move to attempt to combat illegal coal mining and trading, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has initiated an inter-governmental search and seizure operation across five provinces to disrupt the unlawful activities of coal syndicates operating within the country. Illegal coal mining and trading have been a persistent and increasing problem in South Africa. Syndicates exploit regulatory intransigence and poverty-stricken communities to engage in unauthorised coal mining and trading.
SARS has recognised the urgency of addressing this issue, as it poses an economic threat and jeopardises the ability of the fiscus to benefit from exploitation of the nation's natural resources. Recent reports indicate that these coal syndicates have been involved in large-scale smuggling and underreporting of exports, causing considerable financial losses to the country.
The collaboration between SARS and law enforcement agencies intends to put an end to these activities by employing a multi-pronged strategy.
In a significant move to attempt to combat illegal coal mining and trading, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has initiated an inter-governmental search and seizure operation across five provinces to disrupt the unlawful activities of coal syndicates operating within the country. Illegal coal mining and trading have been a persistent and increasing problem in South Africa. Syndicates exploit regulatory intransigence and poverty-stricken communities to engage in unauthorised coal mining and trading.
SARS has recognised the urgency of addressing this issue, as it poses an economic threat and jeopardises the ability of the fiscus to benefit from exploitation of the nation's natural resources. Recent reports indicate that these coal syndicates have been involved in large-scale smuggling and underreporting of exports, causing considerable financial losses to the country.
The collaboration between SARS and law enforcement agencies intends to put an end to these activities by employing a multi-pronged strategy.
