PRETORIA - The new General Mining Laws Amendment Bill is being touted as a key intervention to curb illegal mining. It proposes amendments to several pieces of legislation, including the insertion of a provision in the Criminal Procedure Act that would specifically criminalise illicit mining. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has also announced the Legal Practice Amendment Bill and the Regulation of Trusts Bill, which have been gazetted for public comment. The General Mining Laws Amendment Bill proposes changes to several pieces of legislation, including the Criminal Procedure Act, the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act and the Precious Metals Act. The minister says the new legislation seeks to strike a balance between protecting freedom of expression and prohibiting the incitement of violence.