[BBC] South Africa’s Gang-Controlled Gold Mines
South Africa’s gold mining industry is infamous for its illegal and often deadly underground operations. Thousands of miners, including locals and migrants from neighboring countries, have turned to illegal mining as a means of survival, despite the inherent dangers.
The phenomenon, known as “zama zama” mining, has evolved into a criminal industry controlled by violent gangs. These miners dig deep into abandoned gold mines, risking their lives for a chance at the valuable precious metal. 
Narrow Survival in South Africa’s Gang-Controlled Gold Mines
Ndumiso, a 52-year-old former legal miner, now risks his life underground as a zama zama. After losing his formal mining job in 1996, he turned to illegal mining to survive. He spends months at a time deep in abandoned mines, enduring harsh conditions with limited access to basic needs.
Ndumiso’s experience spotlights the grim reality of South Africa’s illegal mining sector. Like many zama zamas, he uses rudimentary tools—pickaxes, chisels, and even dynamite—to extract gold. Despite the dangers, illegal mining offers significant rewards, far surpassing the income from formal jobs. Ndumiso now earns more than he ever did, supporting his family and funding his children’s education.
Yet, the risks remain severe. Ndumiso refers to parts of the mine as “the zama zama graveyard,” where bodies and skeletons lie, victims of rockfalls, gang violence, or fatal accidents. Miners live in constant fear, with many paying gangs for protection.
The Growing Problem of Illegal Mining in South Africa
The zama zama mining crisis has spiraled out of control in recent years as illegal miners continue to occupy abandoned shafts across South Africa. The country’s once-thriving mining industry has experienced a significant decline, leaving thousands of former miners with little hope for formal employment. In response, government officials have promised to crackdown on illegal mining operations, aiming to restore order.
In Stilfontein, a town south-west of Johannesburg, hundreds of miners have become trapped underground in a tense standoff with security forces. The government’s plan to “smoke out” illegal miners has sparked controversy, as human rights groups have called for essential supplies to be sent to those trapped underground.
The government, however, asserts that criminal gangs recruit these miners, who are often heavily armed, making it challenging to resolve the issue without escalating the conflict further.
While the government pushes for stricter enforcement, experts warn that the situation is more complex than simply criminalizing illegal mining. David van Wyk, a researcher focused on South Africa’s mining sector, argues that the government needs to decriminalize the operations, organize the miners, and regulate their work in order to address the root causes of illegal mining and the crime syndicates controlling it.
The Dark Underbelly of Zama Zama Mining
Life underground in South Africa is not only perilous but also entrenched in criminal activity. The mining communities, hidden from the world above, have built their own makeshift markets. Here, miners buy food, tools, and even gain access to sex workers brought in by gangs.
The environment remains harsh, with makeshift tunnels connecting various levels of the mine. As Ndumiso explains, miners rely on painted signs to guide them to critical spots, such as the “zama zama graveyard,” which serves as a chilling reminder of the fatalities that often occur at these depths. Tragically, such dangers are a constant part of life underground.
While the government intensifies its crackdown on illegal mining, it becomes increasingly evident that the industry has evolved far beyond a mere response to economic hardship. The dominance of the gangs, coupled with the dangerous conditions, paints a grim picture.
Furthermore, unless the country implements a more structured solution, South Africa’s illegal mining issue will persist. It will continue to claim lives, destabilize communities, and contribute to the larger problem of organized crime. Ultimately, the need for comprehensive action is more pressing than ever.
What’s Next for South Africa’s Illegal Gold Mining Industry?
With illegal miners facing increasing government pressure, questions remain about the future of zama zama mining.
Can the government effectively shut down the operations, or will they find a way to regulate and organize the miners to reduce criminal control? The fate of South Africa’s illegal mining communities hangs in the balance, and only time will tell if a sustainable solution can be found.
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