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Stilfontein

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Its failure to protect artisanal miners in Stilfontein shows that it is toothless and needs an overhaul to address structural weaknesses. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy
LEGISLATING AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION

The Human Rights Commission is not fulfilling its mandate

Its failure to protect artisanal miners in Stilfontein shows that it is toothless and needs an overhaul to address structural weaknesses

  • Christopher Rutledge
6 min read
According to Minister Ntshavheni, the miners were stuck in the depths of the earth, which was their own doing, and the state would not be involved in any rescue of “criminals”.
ARTISANAL MINERS

Stilfontein miners have human rights just like you, Minister Ntshavheni

Marikana was a precursor to Stifontein and show the lengths to which the state would go to punish people in protection of corporate interests, particularly in the mining industry

  • Luvo Mnyobe
5 min read
There are thought to be at least 50 000 informal miners working underground in South Africa. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy
ALTERNATIVE MINING INDABA

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

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
The crisis at a disused gold mine in Stilfontein, North West, which has dragged on for months, has tested the ability of the government to curb illegal mining through Operation Vala Umgodi.. (File photo AP)
ABANDONED MINES SOUTH AFRICA

Survivors, corpses pulled from Stilfontein mine in ongoing operation

Since the start of operations to clear the mine, explosives, firearms, R52.49 million in cash, refined gold and gold-bearing material has been seized

  • MG Reporter
2 min read
The tragedy of miners trapped underground and the police’s Operation Vala Umgodi is an all-time low for human rights – the government of national unity must act now
ARTISANAL MINER

Stilfontein miners: ‘It was not an illness that killed them. It was starvation’

The tragedy of miners trapped underground and the police’s Operation Vala Umgodi is an all-time low for human rights – the government of national unity must act now

  • Isobel Frye
7 min read
Digging deep: Residents of the township of Khuma, near the Buffelsfontein mine in Stilfontein, North West, where zama zamas are trapped underground, say they are suffering economically after a police operation shut down illegal mining activity. Photo: Lunga Mzangwe
ARTISANAL MINING

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’

  • Musawenkosi Cabe
8 min read
Time running out: Relatives are desperately trying to rescue the scores of illegal artisanal miners who became trapped when a mine shaft in Krugersdorp was flooded. Photo: Fani Mahuntsi/Getty Images
ILLEGAL MINERS

‘I’m fighting for my sons’ lives,’ says father of trapped illegal miners in Krugersdorp

The relatives of illegal artisanal miners who are trapped underground in in a flooded mine shaft say that the authorities have failed to help them

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Digging deep: Residents of the township of Khuma, near the Buffelsfontein mine in Stilfontein, North West, where zama zamas are trapped underground, say they are suffering economically after a police operation shut down illegal mining activity. Photos: Lunga Mzangwe
ARVS

Local economy reels from police blockade of Stilfontein mine

Illegal miners want the state to legalise their operations as it is the only way for them to earn a living

  • Lunga Mzangwe
9 min read
Police have cut water and food supplies to the miners, insisting that they will not negotiate with ‘criminals
ATHLENDA MATHE

Police make community rescuers at Stilfontein sign indemnity forms before helping trapped miners

Police have cut water and food supplies to the miners, insisting that they will not negotiate with ‘criminals’

  • Lunga Mzangwe
7 min read
Not above board: In 2006, all the directors of the Stilfontein gold mine resigned to avoid being implicated on charges of reckless trading. A judge later found that this decision was not made in good faith.
AYO TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Boards can’t simply quit en masse

Any decision by directors to leave as a bloc has consequences that go beyond issues of liability

  • Sihle Bulose
4 min read
SOUTH AFRICA

Cheers as Stilfontein mine opens again

There were cheers on Wednesday as Simmer & Jack mine bosses got operations going again at the newly acquired Stilfontein mine in the North West. Simmer chairperson Roger Kebble…

  • Staff Reporter
3 min read