The Contingent Liabilities and contingent assets of the Department opened with a balance of R367.4 million and closed with the balance of R74.3 million. The biggest amount of reduction was in the claims against the Department, which went down from R299.961 million to R41.773 million. The liabilities incurred during the 2010/11 financial year were R41.772 million. This item includes the contingent liabilities in respect of rehabilitation of ownerless and derelict mines. The inability of the Department to quantify its liability in this respect was one of the bases for a qualified opinion.