South Africa's mine crisis: 4,500 illegal miners trapped
Over 4,500 illegal miners are trapped underground in an inactive gold mine in Stilfontein, located in South Africa's North West Province, which borders Botswana. Rescue operations have been halted due to heavy rains.
6:26 AM EST, November 14, 2024
Thembile Botman, the leader of the Stilfontein community, informed the media on Wednesday that contact was made on Tuesday with the illegal miners, known as zama zamas in South Africa. Many are dehydrated because they have been in the mine corridors for an extended period without food and water.
Some of them are sick and unable to move; Botman confirmed that there are bodies underground as well. Stilfontein residents had assisted the trapped miners for several days by providing them with water and food, but heavy rains have blocked access to the shaft.
Police are waiting for the miners at the surface, having surrounded all potential exits from the mine. Their spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, stated that the miners could emerge at any moment.
He added that since October 18, over a thousand zama zamas have voluntarily surrendered to the police as their water and food supplies ran out. They have been charged with violating the immigration act since most of them came from Lesotho and Zimbabwe, as well as with involvement in illegal mining.
Illegal mining linked to gangs
Police are pursuing illegal miners who have been breaking into unused and closed gold, chrome, and platinum mines for years. The operation is codenamed Vala Umgodi. Since December 2023, over 13,691 people have been arrested in seven provinces.
In South Africa, illegal mineral extraction in closed mines has been increasing for several years, driven by the country's worsening economic conditions, unemployment, and labor migration from neighboring countries. According to South African police, illegal mining is closely linked to international gangs, and the zama zamas themselves are often armed and not hesitant to confront law enforcement.
