South African authorities reported on Tuesday that they have recovered dozens of dead miners from a closed gold mine where illegal mining activities were taking place. The operation followed a blockade that restricted access to food, water, and other essential supplies.
As of Tuesday evening, police confirmed the recovery of 60 bodies and the extraction of 132 living miners. The death toll may increase as the government continues its delicate operation, which commenced on Monday.
The authorities intervened after a prolonged standoff that faced criticism from human rights organizations, although some South Africans supported the action, viewing illegal miners as dangerous criminals.
It remains unclear how many miners are still underground, but estimates from activists and authorities suggest there could be hundreds.
The blockade at the mine, located near Stilfontein—approximately two hours south of Johannesburg—was part of a national initiative aimed at eliminating illegal miners, known locally as Zama Zamas.
To compel the miners to surface, law enforcement began restricting supplies last year by securing access points to the mine and dismantling ropes used to transport goods underground, as evidenced by images released by the police.
The recovery operation was initiated following a court challenge from a civil society group and reports of dire conditions within the mine, which extends over a mile deep.
Cellphone footage shared by the advocacy group Mining Affected Communities United in Action depicted horrific conditions underground, showing numerous dead bodies wrapped in plastic and the malnourished bodies of miners who were still alive. The video was reportedly recorded last week by one of the miners.
Activist Meshack Mbangula described the situation as “brutal” and criticized the treatment of Zama Zamas and the surrounding community.
As the mining industry in South Africa has declined and mine owners have abandoned unprofitable sites, Zama Zamas have begun to extract what remains without legal permits.
These miners have faced significant backlash from some South Africans, who accuse them of contributing to criminal networks involved in illicit metal trading and exacerbating crime in their operational areas. Additionally, many of these miners are undocumented immigrants, further complicating public sentiment.
Authorities believe that miners near Stilfontein are opting to remain underground to evade arrest, a claim contested by human rights organizations, which assert that some exit routes from the mine have been blocked.
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, a minister in the president’s office, stated at a news conference last year, “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. Criminals are not to be helped; they are to be persecuted.”
The events surrounding Stilfontein highlight broader issues of wealth inequality in South Africa and the exploitative legacy of the mining industry. Historically, mines were central to the economy during apartheid, with the Black majority confined to low-paying jobs while white-owned and foreign companies profited significantly. Although some Black-owned enterprises have emerged in the industry, wealth distribution remains largely skewed towards a small elite.