Key points
- South African police have forced 540 illegal miners to resurface from an abandoned mine shaft, intensifying a crackdown on unlicensed mining activities.
- Police restricted food and water deliveries, causing dehydration among miners who remain trapped underground.
- Since December 2023, authorities have arrested over 13,690 illegal miners and seized uncut diamonds and cash worth millions.
South African police have forced 540 illegal miners to surface from an abandoned shaft in the northern town of Orkney, detaining them in a large-scale operation aimed at curbing unlicensed mining activities.
The forced resurfacing followed a decision by security forces to block deliveries of food and water to miners, resulting in conditions of “starvation and dehydration,” police said.
Hundreds of miners may still be underground
Miners began emerging from the site on Saturday as security tightened its hold. Police initially reported that 225 miners had resurfaced.
By Sunday, another 340 miners had come up, according to an update from the national police. Authorities, however, estimate that “hundreds, if not thousands” may still be underground.
Restricted supplies used to force resurfacing
Authorities forced the evacuation as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal miners, known locally as “zama zamas,” meaning “those who try their luck” in Zulu. Police intercepted food parcels, water and other essentials sent to miners from nearby communities.
National Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Shadrack Sibiya oversaw the operation and commended local forces. He encouraged them “not to back down” and to ensure “the rule of law is restored.” Since December 2023, authorities have arrested over 13,690 illegal miners nationwide as part of efforts to limit unlicensed mining in the mineral-rich country. Officials also seized R5 million ($283,000) in cash and uncut diamonds worth approximately R32 million ($1.8 million).
Enduring issues for South Africa’s mining sector
Illegal mining continues to be a major issue in South Africa, where abandoned mines remain accessible to thousands of unauthorized miners seeking mineral wealth.
The latest arrests mark a significant move in the government’s ongoing effort to reduce illegal mining activity across its mineral-rich provinces.
