Artisanal Mining
latest news & developments
Zama zamas on the agenda at alternative mining indaba
There are thought to be at least 50 000 informal miners working underground in South Africa
Stilfontein: Zama zamas are humans entitled to the right to life
The single narrative of these miners as criminals in mainstream and social media ‘makes our recognition of our equal humanity difficult’
Failure to implement policy contributing to illegal mining crisis
Association says the government does not ‘have the will to act’ and the solution is regulation to allow artisanal miners to work legally
City of Johannesburg counting cost of illegal mining on its infrastructure
Road and water infrastructure, largely in the central, south and west of Johannesburg, is being damaged
Illegal mining: Roodepoort residents are ‘prisoners’ of turf wars
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
Illegal mining: Jobs are scarce, says artisanal miner
They scour mine dumps on the West Rand for gold
Illegal mining: ‘The gold is there, people are hungry and mines are closed’
The informal economy around zama zama mining has replaced that of large-scale mining companies that have abandoned or closed their mines
Police take bribes from artisanal miners, West Rand residents say
The police say that allegations of complicity by some officers in the service are common and called for people to come forward with evidence
Why illegal artisanal mining in South Africa is out of control
It is the result of the state’s failure to formalise artisanal mining as a livelihood strategy and the police’s inability or unwillingness to control
Cabo Delgado is a warzone, but profiteers strike it rich
But anger over human rights abuses in the ruby-rich province fuels resentment and insurgency