Urgent measures are needed to counter illegal mining before disaster strikes again
4 September 2023
Large numbers of illegal miners have been killed in gang-related attacks and countless more have died in underground rockfall incidents over the years. Additionally, the illicit activities of the many thousands of zama zamas is costing South Africa billions each year. As a result, the question of zama zamas is a pressing issue that requires our urgent attention to resolve.
Beyond occupying abandoned mine shafts and waging open gang warfare in the streets, zama zamas damage municipal infrastructure; weaken road foundations; rob homes and take tools from backyards, sheds, and garages; and steal electrical cables to sell on the growing illegal copper market.
There are many potential causes for the growing illegal mining issue. For one, South Africa’s exceptionally high unemployment levels continue to drive more people to a life of crime. Furthermore, many illegal immigrants flee from our poverty-stricken neighbours to seek a better life in South Africa, which often means joining the illegal mining trade.
Substantial demand and high prices for precious metals, together with an extensive network of abandoned and disused mines in South Africa, have given rise to a profitable black market for minerals such as gold, platinum, and diamonds. Also, traders face very few barriers in smuggling their goods to sell in international markets.