Informal mining in South Africa is here to stay. Police brutality won’t end it
About 6,100 closed mines are distributed across the country. Although closed, they are not sealed. Residual gold remains in these ruins, and is extracted by local miners.
Informal mining in South Africa is here to stay
In mid-January 2024 over 1 000 hunger-weakened miners exited two abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein, near Johannesburg in South Africa. They had been starved out by the police in Operation Vala Umgodi — meaning “plug the hole” – which had cut off food and water in an effort to “smoke out” a shadow workforce.
Illegal mining cost South African economy R60 billion in 2024
Illegal mining is waging war on the South African economy, with the illicit trade costing the economy at least R60 billion in 2024.
South Africa's mining industry reports lowest number of deaths last year
South Africa's mining industry reported 42 deaths last year, the lowest number to date and a 24% improvement on the previous year, official statistics showed on Thursday.
Informal mining persists in South Africa despite police crackdowns
In mid-January 2024, over 1,000 hunger-weakened miners exited two abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein, near Johannesburg in South Africa. They had been starved out by the police in Operation Vala Umgodi—meaning "plug the hole"—which had cut off food and water in an effort to "smoke out" a shadow workforce.
South African miner describes horrors for those who spent months underground
A miner who spent six months in a disused mine in South Africa has spoken of the horror he experienced after a police operation cut off food and basic supplies to thousands who were illegally digging
Mining industry reported fewer fatalities - Expert
The increase in illegal mining in the country is causing major economic and security challenges. WATCH | Illegal mining | Cop may have helped ‘Tiger’ escape from Stilfontein Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe,
Towards ‘zero harm’: South Africa’s mining industry sees historic safety improvements in 2024
A number of factors explain this improving health and safety record, and the government, companies and unions all deserve credit. But no one is keeping tabs on the number of illegal miners who die underground each year.
Illegal chrome mining crisis fuels violence in Bojanala District
Illegal chrome mining in Bojanala District is escalating into violence, threatening community safety and the local economy as ...
Illegal mining ringleader escaped during South Africa disaster with help from officers, police say
South African police say a suspected illegal gold mining ringleader escaped from custody with help from police officers about ...
CNN on MSN10d
South Africa criticized for ‘horrific’ mining crackdown after 78 bodies pulled from underground
South Africa’s government is facing criticism for its clampdown on illegal mining that cut off food and water to ...
A South African horror story: Illegal mining standoff draws to an end
In South Africa a months long standoff between police and illegal miners in an abandoned gold mine comes to end, with close ...
Mining Weekly2d
Call for partnerships to capitalise on African mining potential
The private sector must continue working with government and strengthen public–private partnerships to not only fortify the ...
StringersHub on MSN1d
South Africa: Protests in Johannesburg over job losses in the mining sector
Johannesburg, South Africa - Members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the African National Congress Youth ...
The Tablet1d
Regulate mining to top exploitation, bishop urges South African government
A South African bishop called for the government to formalise the activities of small-scale mining operations after scores of ...
Mining Weekly1d
Novel South African-engineered mobile rescue winder instrumental in Stilfontein rescue
The rescue of 246 surviving illegal miners from the Stilfontein shaft in less than three days was enabled by a locally ...