South Africa police force 540 illegal miners from abandoned shaft

In a significant operation, South African police have forcibly removed 540 illegal miners from an abandoned mine shaft in the northern town of Orkney. The authorities arrested these individuals as part of an effort to address the ongoing issue of illegal mining in the region.

Earlier this week, security forces implemented a strategy to cut off essential supplies to the miners, blocking deliveries of food and water to the site. This tactic aimed to compel the miners to leave the shaft, which had become a dangerous and precarious environment. As a result of the conditions underground, police reported that the miners faced “starvation and dehydration,” ultimately leading many to resurface.

Reports indicate that the first individuals began to emerge from the mine on Saturday, with the police estimating that hundreds more remained inside. By Sunday, the national police chief urged security personnel to maintain their resolve, emphasizing the importance of restoring law and order in the area. “Do not back down,” he instructed the officers on the ground, as stated in an official release from the police force.

Initially, police reported that 225 miners had come out of the shaft on Saturday, but it was believed that “hundreds if not a thousand” were still underground. An update from the national police on Sunday confirmed that an additional 340 miners had surfaced and were subsequently arrested.

The issue of illegal mining, often referred to as “zama zamas”—a term in Zulu meaning “those who try their luck”—is pervasive in South Africa, a country rich in mineral resources. This informal mining activity poses significant safety and legal challenges.

National Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya highlighted the scale of the crackdown on illegal mining activities, noting that since December 2023, over 13,690 suspects have been apprehended across seven provinces. The police have also seized substantial amounts of cash and uncut diamonds during their operations. “We have confiscated R5 million ($283,000) in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million ($1.8 million),” Sibiya reported.

This latest operation underscores the South African government’s ongoing struggle to combat illegal mining and its associated dangers. The phenomenon of zama zamas has drawn increasing attention due to the risks it poses not only to the miners but also to surrounding communities and the environment.

As the situation in Orkney unfolds, police continue to monitor the area for any remaining illegal mining activities. The authorities remain determined to dismantle these operations, which have been linked to organized crime and violence in some cases.

The challenge of illegal mining in South Africa reflects broader economic issues, including unemployment and poverty, which drive individuals to seek alternative livelihoods in hazardous conditions. Despite the risks, many continue to engage in illegal mining, hoping for a chance at wealth from the country’s rich mineral deposits.

As the police force addresses this crisis, they face the dual task of enforcing the law while also considering the socioeconomic factors that contribute to illegal mining. The recent operation in Orkney serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in tackling this persistent issue.