Mr John Hericourt, representative from Gold One briefed the Committee on the mining company perspective on the illegal mining. He reported that with over 230 known shafts and holes for access on the East Rand, organised illegal mining and theft has increased dramatically since 2009. Apart from the substantial theft of gold bearing material and scrap metal, these activities have resulted in significant loss of life due to fall of ground incidents, gassing and heat exhaustion, smoke and fume inhalation and faction fighting. He reported that shaft closure work carried out by Gold One alone since 2010 cost R7 125 626.