The Dangers of Illegal Gold Mining in South Africa
Ndumiso, a 52-year-old man, lives and works deep underground in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa. He is one of about 600 men who live in a small, gang-controlled “town” built within the mine. This underground settlement includes markets, a red-light district, and a network of tunnels that connect different levels. The men work as “zama zamas,” illegal miners who search for gold in the depths of the mine.
Ndumiso’s journey into illegal mining began after he was laid off from his job at a large mining company. Faced with high unemployment and a lack of legal work, he decided to join the gangs running these underground operations. The life he now leads is dangerous, but it’s the only option he sees for survival. “The underground life is ruthless,” Ndumiso said. “Many do not make it out alive.” He shared that in one level of the shaft.There are bodies and skeletons. A place the miners call the “zama-zama graveyard.” These risks are constant, as rockfalls and violent confrontations with rival gangs are common dangers in the mines.
Despite these hazards, illegal mining has become a source of income for Ndumiso. He works underground for about three months at a time, using rudimentary tools like pickaxes, spades, and dynamite to dig for gold. He then surfaces to sell his gold on the black market, earning more than he ever did when working legally. His earnings support his children’s education, including one in university, and allowed him to buy a house near Johannesburg. He paid 130,000 rand ($7,000) in cash and expanded it.
The work is grueling, and the conditions underground are harsh. Miners often work for months at a time without seeing daylight, relying on outside support for food, water, and other essentials. “I look forward to sleeping on my bed and eating home-cooked meals,” Ndumiso says of his time above ground. “Breathing in fresh air is an amazingly powerful feeling.” But the need to return to the mine for more gold always looms over him. He does not return to the surface too often because he risks losing his digging spot to others, but after three months underground, the pressure and discomfort become unbearable.
While Ndumiso works in relative safety with the protection of his gang, not all miners are as fortunate. Many are forced to work under harsh conditions, with no pay and no gold, or face threats of violence if they fail to comply. These miners often live in fear, as the gangs have control over the mines and the surrounding areas. To protect himself, Ndumiso pays his gang a monthly protection fee of about $8, ensuring safety from rival groups, particularly from Lesotho-based gangs known for their heavier weaponry.
On the surface, Ndumiso continues to work with other illegal miners who help him process the ore that is brought up from the mine. They use dangerous chemicals like mercury and sodium cyanide to extract the gold from the crushed rocks. The gold is then sold to buyers on the black market, where Ndumiso typically earns between $3,800 and $5,500 every three months. His income, while lucrative compared to his past earnings, still falls short of what the gang leaders earn. However, Ndumiso remains unaware of the gang leaders’ exact profits, as the business operates in secrecy.
The government’s crackdown on illegal mining in South Africa, which has spiraled out of control with mafia-like gangs in charge, has made headlines. The government recently moved to block miners from receiving food and water, hoping to starve them out of the mines. This has sparked protests from groups like The Society for the Protection of Our Constitution, who are seeking court intervention to allow miners access to food and essentials. The government is also concerned with the impact illegal mining has on the economy, as it leads to lost export income, taxes, and royalties, while also contributing to crime and destruction of public infrastructure.
Despite government efforts to combat illegal mining, many miners like Ndumiso see it as the only way to escape poverty in a country with an unemployment rate over 30%. South Africa’s mining industry has been in decline for decades, leading to widespread layoffs. Ndumiso himself was retrenched in 1996, earning less than $220 per month as a drill operator. After years of searching for work in a country with limited job opportunities, he turned to illegal mining to support his family.
David van Wyk, a researcher at the Benchmark Foundation who has studied the industry, estimates that there are about 36,000 illegal miners in Gauteng province alone, the country’s economic hub. He believes that the South African government should consider decriminalizing the zama-zama operations and focus on regulating the industry rather than trying to shut it down completely. This approach could help bring these workers out of the shadows, improve safety, and generate some tax revenue for the country.
Ndumiso’s life is a harsh balancing act between providing for his family and facing the constant dangers of illegal mining. He is among the lucky few who can return to the surface safely after completing a mining stint, but his story reflects the reality for thousands of illegal miners across South Africa. With their economic future tied to the dangerous work in the mines, many have little choice but to continue, hoping for a better life despite the deadly risks they face underground.