If the Mines and Minerals Act is broken, 500 small-scale miners could lose their permits.
The affected mining rights holders have been in default by failing to pay annual fees for more than three years, while other holders mine without the appropriate equipment and employ locals.
The defaulters have been discovered, according to SAMUEL MAANGO, director of the Mining Cadastre Department, and default notices will be sent to them, to which they must react within 30 days.
In an interview, Mr. MAANGO stated that the mining rights would be revoked if the justifications were not sufficient.
