The minister of Petroleum and Mining Stephen Dhieu Dau has issued a ministerial order curbing all illegal mining activities in South Sudan.

The order which takes immediate effect, calls for any person in possession of gold or any other mineral product mined under an illegal license,  to immediately hand it into  the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining.

Any mining royalties currently owed to the government must also be paid.

Fees and illegal products must be handed in within five days.