Zama zama

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.