Fourteen suspected illegal miners have lost their lives as a result of a South African mine dump collapse. It has been revealed that more miners could be entombed.
This happened on Monday night, when the mine was legally owned by a mining company. Another eight miners sustained injuries in the process and are currently undergoing treatment.
An investigation is underway regarding how the collapse took place and how the miners managed to enter the premises.
Details of the Incident
The regional police chief, Lt-Gen Arthur Adams, said that the miners were carrying out work in a dump site where platinum and other metals were extracted.
Adams explained that the walls of the dumping area collapsed on the miners suddenly.
It has been stated that most of those involved are citizens of Lesotho. All the miners who were identified so far were undocumented foreign nationals.
Three miners who were injured have now been released from the hospital and placed under arrest by the police. These miners are going to be charged with illegal mining and trespassing.
There is also an ongoing search process to find more miners who might still be trapped under the fallen mass.
Who Are the ‘Zama Zamas’?
People involved in illegal mining in South Africa are called “zama zamas”, which means in the Zulu language “people who take their chances”.
They are working in abandoned mines, waste dumps, and other locations from which they are trying to retrieve leftover gold, platinum, and other minerals.
It has turned into a major issue for South African authorities since this type of activity became widespread along with the decline of the mining industry in the country.
However, this is a potential source of income for undocumented migrants and impoverished workers despite obvious dangers associated with this occupation.
Why Illegal Mining Is So Dangerous
“Zama zama” operations lack all sorts of safety measures, including ventilation, equipment and inspections.
Collapsed shafts, flooding and poisonous gases can occur in abandoned mines. Mine dumps are also dangerous due to the possibility of sudden collapses.
This last case is part of a much larger issue.
In January 2025, 78 dead bodies were found in a disused mine shaft in Stilfontein, south-west of Johannesburg, when miners were trapped while undergoing a major police action against illegal mining.
A Larger Economic and Security Issue
Illegal mining is becoming increasingly hard to control by South Africa.
As big mining companies close or cease operations that have become economically unsustainable, valuable minerals can be left underground or in mining tailings.
This can result in criminal organisations operating in such places, employing labourers, providing equipment, and controlling access to mines.
Thus, authorities need to balance actions against illegal mining, organized crime, and the economic hardship causing individuals to work underground.
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What Lies Ahead?
The police investigation is set to look into the way in which the miners managed to access the site, who planned the whole process, and whether more people are stuck inside.
At the same time, the case could spark another discussion of the broader illegal-mining issue in South Africa as well as the issue of undocumented immigrant labourers.
At this moment, all that the authorities are doing is investigating the scene and learning the details of what caused the tragedy.
The tragic accident serves to demonstrate the very high danger associated with the zama zama activity and the difficult task ahead for South Africa.
