South African Soldiers Dismantle Illegal Mining Operations Near Johannesburg. Johannesburg, South Africa — South African soldiers have dismantled illegal gold mining activities in a community near Johannesburg this week, a move aimed at tackling the widespread illegal mining in the area, according to authorities.
The operation, which followed the deployment of soldiers to high — crime areas, resulted in the forced evacuation of some illegal miners, who abandoned their equipment and left behind makeshift camps and food supplies.
The army and police recovered a variety of equipment used by illegal miners, including generators and drill machines, which were documented by an Associated Press photographer on Thursday. Makeshift trenches containing food supplies and utensils were also dismantled in the site located in Randfontein, about 40 kilometers to the west of Johannesburg. This action is part of a government strategy to deploy troops in some of the country’s most crime-ridden areas, including the Western Cape province, home to Cape Town, and the Gauteng province, an economic hub.
Johannesburg’s outskirts are lined with dozens of abandoned mine shafts, making illegal mining a prevalent issue. Heavily armed crime syndicates and informal miners, known as “zama zamas, “are often found entering these shafts in search of leftover deposits of gold or other precious minerals. Illegal mining is prohibited without a government license and can be dangerous.
Provinces such as the North West and Mpumalanga have also reported high levels of illegal mining, sometimes resulting in tragic accidents. Authorities estimate there are around 30,000 illegal miners operating in some of South Africa’s 6,000 abandoned mine shafts.
The government has noted an increase in illegal mining, estimating it to be worth more than $4 billion a year in lost gold to criminal syndicates.
This trade is predominantly controlled by migrants from neighboring countries, such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, leading to resentment among local South African communities against both the criminal bosses and foreigners living in the local community. Responding to questions from lawmakers, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the deployment of troops would be accompanied by other measures, such as strengthening anti-gang units and illegal mining task teams.
The police will be working with the National Prosecuting Authority on multi — disciplinary task teams to target the leadership, finances, firearms, and logistics of these criminal networks.
Further details on the ongoing operations are expected to be provided in the coming days.
