Tracing and Determining the Duration of Illegal Sand Mining in Specific River Channels in the Limpopo Province

Artisanal and Small-scale river sand mining is one of the upcoming activities associated with environmental crisis concerning water ecosystem. However, determination duration in which illegal has occurred, future prediction on extent not well-established most world. This study aimed to assess across some catchments Limpopo province, South Africa understand sustainable extraction resources. was followed by when commenced each individual catchments. Thus, remote sensing applied predict from year 1992 2022, statistical models were utilised for next 10 years. The results suggest that started experience 1992, though relatively low. Equally, a decrease vegetation coverage system been evidenced, also suggests gravel elevated 2010. In terms model, Turfloop River predicted large ratio coming years, about 92.415 ha land expected be affected. Meanwhile, Molototsi denoted least affected system, reduced 6.57 years’ time.