The Impacts of Illegal Sand Mining: A Case Study of Mbizana

I, Ntombini Avela Sbabalwe student number 213180367, solemnly declare that this research paper entitled ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF ILLEGAL SAND MINING: A CASE STUDY OF MBIZANA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA, is my original work and all sources used or quoted in the study have been indicated and acknowledged by way of complete references. This study dealt with socio-economic and environmental issues pertaining to illegal sand mining in Mbizana. It transpired that illegal sand miners are extracting sand excessively without considering the impact on the environment. Such situation imposed serious impacts such as soil erosion, formation of gullies, clearance of vegetation, and land degradation. There are more than 120 trucks that extract sand per day, each truck driver take about 3 to 5 loads per day.