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(Redirected from Zama zamas) Illegal artisanal miners in South Africa

Zama zamas are illegal artisanal miners in South Africa who occupy closed or operational mines to mine for minerals such as gold, iron ore, coal, and manganese. The term zama zama loosely translates to "take a chance" in isiZulu and they use rudimentary tools and explosives for mining. Most of the zama zamas come from neighboring countries such as Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The South African government has reacted by deporting them because of the violence associated with their activities in the settlements they occupy which most of the times are near the mines.

Background

See also: Crime in South Africa § Illegal mining

Illegal mining is most prevalent in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West and the Free State. It shows an upward trend and is inter-related with organised crime and money laundering. Thousands of disused or active mines attract illegal miners, also known as zama zamas. The estimated 30,000 illegal miners are organised by some 200 criminal syndicates (as of 2022) which infiltrate industrial gold mines, where they employ violent means and exploitative working conditions. Losses in sales, tax revenue and royalties are said to amount to R21 billion per annum, while physical infrastructure and public safety are compromised. Output in excess of R14 billion of gold per annum has been channeled to international markets via neighbouring countries. The greater part, over 34 tons of gold between 2012 and 2016, was smuggled to Dubai, UAE. At times construction contractors rent out their haul trucks and excavators to syndicates who then proceed with open-cast mining in contravention of the Environmental Act. Mining companies which operate from no fixed address, may also submit fraudulent applications for mining licences, by for instance plagiarizing the required EIA.

Response by government

Unregistered operators of precious metal refineries are charged with illegal possession of unwrought precious metals under the Precious Metals Act, cyanide pollution under the Environmental Act, and their equipment and raw materials are seized. The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 acknowledges artisanal miners, but an overhaul of the act has been proposed. The Council for Geoscience and Department of Mineral Resources are jointly responsible for rehabilitating the 6,000 abandoned mines in South Africa (600 around Johannesburg alone). They are barely making headway, and don't expect to close all abandoned shafts before 2039. Meanwhile manpower and resources of the Border Management Authority (BMA) is diverted to combat well-armed illegal miners.

Stilfontein trapped miners incident

In November–December 2024, hundreds of zama zamas became trapped in disused mine shafts at the Stilfontein gold mine in North West Province. The Stilfontein mine, once a major gold producer, ceased operations in 2013. Since its closure, it has been a site for illicit mining activity, with zama zamas attempting to extract remaining gold deposits in the abandoned shafts. In November 2024, efforts by law enforcement to curtail illegal mining resulted in the blocking of key shaft exits, trapping miners underground. Reports suggested that many were unable to resurface, fearing arrest or retribution from armed underground gangs who control mining operations.

References

  1. Greef, Kimon de (20 February 2023). "The Dystopian Underworld of South Africa's Illegal Gold Mines". The New Yorker.
  2. "Inside Labour | Zama zamas are the product of gross exploitation".
  3. "A Documentary, We are Zama Zama". wearezamazama.com. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  4. "How lax legislative loopholes are allowing illegal mining to thrive in SA".
  5. Sani, Abubakar (1 August 2023). "Violent Shootout Between Rival Zama Zama Gangs Leaves Five Dead in Riverlea". NNN. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  6. ^ Dlamini, Penwell (11 August 2022). "It will take 17 years to close shafts – Mantashe on illegal mining: Minister says illegal mining is an economic sabotage". South Africa. sowetanlive.co.za. SowetanLive. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  7. "Illegal mining". Minerals Council South Africa. mineralscouncil.org.za. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  8. ^ Adams, Tasneem; Bingwa, Bongani; Coetzer, Graham (2 August 2022). "'Zama-zamas are fueled by an insatiable appetite for gold'". 702.co.za. 702. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  9. Maroela-redaksie (5 January 2021). "Nog klagte dalk teen drie wat glo goud smokkel". maroelamedia.co.za. Maroela Media. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  10. Ledwaba, Karabo (1 August 2022). "Masemola assures tavern shootings are not linked, announces appointment of top cops". news24.com. City Press. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  11. Tlou, Gift (21 December 2020). "Hawks intensifies fight against foreigners involved in illegal mining". MSN. IOL. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  12. Cornelissen, Christel (13 November 2020). "Talle vas vir onwettige mynboubedrywighede". maroelamedia.co.za. Maroela Media. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  13. "Nasionale Krugerwildtuin-Mynaansoek gestop". AfriForum. afriforum.co.za. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  14. IOL Reporter (11 December 2020). "Seven suspects appear over R8m illicit gold refinery on West Rand". MSN. IOL. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  15. Viljoen, Buks (23 December 2020). "Hawks nab 12 zama zamas at illicit gold refinery". news24.com. News24. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  16. Martin, Alan (19 June 2019). "Solving South Africa's violent and costly Zama Zama problem". Daily Maverick, MSN. ISS Today. Retrieved 20 June 2019., see also: Uncovered: The dark world of the Zama Zamas, ENACT project, EU policy brief
  17. Bingwa, Bongani; Van Wyk, David; Mabuza, Mosa (27 November 2018). "Illegal mining brings Johannesburg to the brink of a massive disaster (702)". lifepodcasts.fm. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  18. "BMA will be part of stopping illegal mining". defenceweb.co.za. defenceWeb. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  19. "South Africa's police minister promises to clamp down on illegal mining". Al Jazeera. 29 November 2024.
  20. "Trapped below: South Africa's illegal mining crisis". The Africa Report. 2 December 2024.
  21. "South Africa police vow to arrest illegal miners at Stilfontein". BBC. 17 November 2024.
  22. Bartlett, Kate (23 November 2024). "South Africa's illegal gold miners are locked in an underground standoff with police". NPR.
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