South Africa Takes Hardline on Illicit Mining

South Africa Takes Hardline on Illegal Mining

“We are going to smoke them out,” 

South Africa cracks down on illegal mining: Thousands of illicit miners face danger and violence in abandoned mines.

South Africa's government has refused to aid approximately 4,000 illegal miners trapped in an abandoned North West province mine. Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated that assistance will not be provided due to their involvement in criminal activities.

“We won't help criminals, we'll prosecute them,” Ntshavheni emphasized. “They'll come out; we'll smoke them out.” However, mining security analysts question the reported number of trapped miners, suggesting 2,000 as a more plausible estimate.

Over 1,000 illegal miners have been arrested by South African police in the past few weeks as part of the “Vala Umgodi” or “Close the Hole” operation. These miners, commonly referred to as “zama zamas,” were forced to resurface due to authorities cutting off their supply lines, leaving them with limited food and water. The operation has been targeting illegal mining activities in the North West province, specifically in Stilfontein, a mining town approximately 155 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg.

The Situation Underground

The zama zamas, many of whom are from neighboring countries such as Lesotho, eSwatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, often spend months underground without surfacing. They rely heavily on outside support for necessities like food and water. However, with authorities throttling their supply lines, their situation has become increasingly dire.

“We are going to smoke them out,”  government minister said. 

“We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out. Criminals are not to be helped; criminals are to be prosecuted. We didn't send them there,” Ntshavheni said.

Efforts to Combat Illegal Mining

The South African government has been working to combat illegal mining, with operations focused on affected districts like Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and the West Rand. The police have made significant arrests, including 225 illegal miners in the North West province, as part of their efforts to curb this illegal activity.

South Africa's Ministry of Police and Ministry of Defense are teaming up to tackle illegal mining in the North West province. They're planning a visit to meet with local authorities and assess the challenges surrounding the Stilfontein mine, with the goal of finding effective solutions. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is urging remaining illegal miners to resurface, emphasizing their commitment to upholding law and order.

South Africa's gold production has been declining over the past few decades, and the country is no longer the world's largest producer. This decline has left many mining operations abandoned and in disrepair, creating an opportunity for illegal miners, known locally as “zama zamas,” to move in.

The Rise of Illegal Mining

Abandoned Mines: Former mining operations have become targets for illegal miners, who often spend months underground without surfacing.

Violence and Crime: Illegal mining is linked to violent clashes between groups, corruption, and organized crime.

Economic Impact: Illegal mining hurts the economy, leading to lost revenue, taxes, and employment opportunities.

The Minerals Council of South Africa has recognized the need for collaboration to address illegal mining, working with stakeholders to develop strategies and initiatives. With the government's renewed focus on tackling this issue, there's hope for a safer, more secure mining industry in South Africa.

In South Africa, thousands of illegal miners, including many from neighboring countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, risk their lives to extract gold and other minerals from abandoned mines. These mines are extremely hazardous due to their deteriorated condition.

Tragedy struck in June last year when 31 people lost their lives in a methane explosion at a closed mine in the Free State province. The dangers faced by these illicit miners are compounded by their own involvement in violent crimes, such as murder, robbery, and rape, making them a significant concern for South African authorities.

The illegal mining landscape is also marred by turf wars between heavily armed “zama zamas” factions, who frequently clash with rival groups and even local authorities. This has created a culture of violence and lawlessness, further complicating efforts to address the issue.

The situation underscores the complexities surrounding illegal mining in South Africa, where the pursuit of precious resources intersects with danger, violence, and criminal activity.