Out of poverty people have turned to illegal mining, destroying not only the forests but also farmlands and waterways
The problem has wide-ranging socio-economic and environmental impacts, says a draft mine closure strategy
Association says the government does not ‘have the will to act’ and the solution is regulation to allow artisanal miners to work legally
The ANC President says those found to be on the wrong side of the law will be arrested
Road and water infrastructure, largely in the central, south and west of Johannesburg, is being damaged
The displacement of illegal artisanal mining gangs by the police causes the miners to flee to other areas, resulting in violent turf wars that spill over into neighbouring areas
The effect of illegal mining includes sabotaged pipelines that contaminate the environment, illegal water usage, sinkholes, underground fires and explosions
They scour mine dumps on the West Rand for gold
The informal economy around zama zama mining has replaced that of large-scale mining companies that have abandoned or closed their mines
The dark and dangerous world fuels international criminal syndicates that control the illicit gold economy and as organised crime grips the country, it infiltrates our political landscape with dire consequences