The unyielding pursuit of gold has driven hundreds of thousands to the depths of South Africa’s abandoned mines, where illegal miners, known as Zama zamas, live and work in a world that is both perilous and paradoxically lucrative.
These miners, often left with few other choices amid widespread unemployment, navigate a treacherous and unforgiving underground world controlled by ruthless gangs. Their lives are a constant battle for survival, fraught with the dangers of rockfalls, violence, and the ever-present risk of dehydration and starvation. Despite these perils, the allure of a better life and the potential for substantial earnings draw them into this dark and hazardous existence.
The Zama zamas have emerged as a response to the economic realities of South Africa, a nation where unemployment hovers above 30%. The mining industry, once a pillar of employment and economic stability, has been on the decline for decades. As large-scale mining operations have shut down or scaled back, many miners who were once employed by these companies have been left jobless. Among them is Ndumiso, a 52-year-old miner who, after being laid off from a formal mining job in 1996, found himself in an underground world controlled by gangs.
Ndumiso’s story is not unique. Hundreds of thousands of workers, both locals and immigrants from neighboring countries such as Lesotho, have turned to illegal mining as a desperate means to survive. These miners are drawn to the abandoned shafts and tunnels scattered across the country— there are approximately 6,000 of these dormant sites, according to researcher David van Wyk. While these sites are not profitable for large-scale mining operations, they offer opportunities for small-scale operations that can be highly lucrative for those willing to brave the dangers.
A Life of Danger and Desperation
The underground life of a Zama zama is as harsh as it is dangerous. Miners like Ndumiso endure back-breaking labor, using rudimentary tools such as pickaxes, shovels, and dynamite to extract gold from the deep earth. They work in dark, claustrophobic tunnels that can collapse without warning, crushing those who are unlucky enough to be caught in the debris.
The mine Ndumiso works in has different levels, each marked with signs and makeshift pathways. One of these levels is known as the “Zama-zama graveyard”, a chilling reminder of the fate that awaits many who venture underground.
The dangers are not limited to rockfalls and cave-ins. Violence is a constant threat in the mines, where rival gangs vie for control. Miners are often armed to protect themselves, with pistols, shotguns, and even semi-automatic weapons being used to defend against other groups and maintain dominance over territory.
Ndumiso himself pays a monthly “protection fee” to his gang, which provides security and ensures he can work without fear of being attacked by rival miners. However, even with protection, miners face the constant risk of being robbed and killed. Ndumiso recounted the story of a friend who was shot in the head and killed after being robbed of his gold.
The ‘Underground’ Economy
The underground world of the Zama zamas is self-sufficient, a testimony to the resilience of the people who live there. Entire communities have formed in these shafts, complete with markets and even a red-light district. The gangs that control these areas set up makeshift shops where miners can buy essential items like food, cigarettes, and mining tools. Prices for these goods are exorbitantly high, making survival even more challenging for those who are not fortunate enough to have a steady supply of resources. Ndumiso, for instance, takes cartons of canned food with him when he returns to the mine, avoiding the inflated prices charged at these underground markets.
Despite the hardships, the miners do find ways to make money. The gold they extract is often sold on the black market, bypassing legal channels and drawing the attention of authorities. Ndumiso, for example, sells his gold to a buyer who he contacts via WhatsApp, meeting him at various locations, including car parks near police stations for safety. This arrangement earns Ndumiso between $3,800 and $5,500 every three months, an income that far exceeds what he made as a legally employed miner.
The Human ‘Cost’
The cost of this risky lifestyle extends far beyond the physical dangers of working underground. Many miners spend months at a time in the shafts, away from their families and the comforts of the surface world. Ndumiso shared that he stays underground for about three months before returning home to spend time with his family, which includes three children whom he has been able to send to school and university thanks to his earnings.
Yet, when he surfaces, the toll on his health is evident. He recalled feeling blinded by sunlight upon emerging from the mine, his skin pale and weak after prolonged exposure to the darkness and suffocating air of the underground world.
The mining conditions are particularly brutal; miners rely on rudimentary equipment and dangerous chemicals like mercury and sodium cyanide to separate gold from ore. The process is not only hazardous but also exposes them to severe health risks, including respiratory illnesses and chronic diseases. Despite these dangers, the miners persist, driven by the need to provide for their families and the possibility of a better life.
The Role of Gangs and Organized Crime
At the heart of this underground economy are powerful gangs that control the mines and enforce their dominance with violence and coercion. These gangs operate like mafia syndicates, collecting “protection fees” from miners and controlling the flow of goods and resources. They also ensure that rival gangs are kept at bay, with heavily armed guards and strategic alliances.
Some miners are fortunate enough to work independently or within a relatively stable gang structure, but others are not so lucky. Kidnappings are a common occurrence, and some miners are forced to work like slave laborers, receiving no pay or gold.
The gangs’ influence extends beyond the mines. They contribute to the broader problem of organized crime in South Africa, where they fuel activities that include illegal trading, theft, and violence.
The government has recognized the dangers posed by these gangs, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling the mines “crime scenes” and acknowledging that the issue of illegal mining is costing the country billions in lost revenue. Yet, efforts to tackle the problem have been met with mixed results, and many argue that the government is targeting the wrong people.
The Government’s Response and Its Challenges
The South African government has made attempts to crack down on illegal mining, but these efforts often face significant obstacles. Security forces have been deployed to mines to stop the illegal activity, and in some cases, authorities have cut off food and water supplies to force miners to surface.
However, these measures have been criticized for their lack of effectiveness and for the risk they pose to the miners’ lives. Campaign groups such as The Society for the Protection of Our Constitution have even taken legal action to demand that food and essential supplies be provided to the miners, citing humanitarian concerns.
Critics argue that the government’s focus on policing miners rather than the kingpins who profit from the illegal industry is misguided. David van Wyk, a researcher at the Benchmark Foundation, pointed out that while miners are targeted, those who profit from the operation— often living in affluent areas far from the mines— remain untouched.
David van Wyk calls for a more subtle approach that includes decriminalizing small-scale mining and creating regulations that could help formalize the industry and provide safer, more legitimate work opportunities for the miners.
Addressing The Canker
Many advocates believe that the solution lies in transforming the sector rather than simply trying to stamp it out. Meshack Mbangula, the National Coordinator of Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), has called on the government to formalize small-scale mining and provide better oversight to prevent exploitation by criminal gangs. He noted that if the government was to regulate this sector, it could lead to job creation and help curb the unemployment crisis that pushes people toward illegal mining in the first place.
By implementing reforms that offer training, safer working conditions, and legal pathways for small-scale miners, the government could potentially reduce the hold that gangs have over the industry. Such measures could help to transform a dangerous and destructive practice into a more sustainable and regulated form of mining, benefitting both the miners and the broader economy.
The world of South Africa’s Zama zamas is evidence to the lengths to which people will go to survive and provide for their families in the face of extreme adversity. The underground life is fraught with danger, from violent gang control to the risks posed by collapsing tunnels and hazardous working conditions. Yet, for those like Ndumiso, the rewards, though risky, are worth the sacrifice. The key to addressing this crisis lies not just in cracking down on illegal miners but in tackling the root causes: poverty, high unemployment, and the lure of quick profits for gangs. Only through thoughtful regulation, economic support, and comprehensive policies can South Africa hope to transform this dark and dangerous world into one that offers hope and opportunity.