Illegal gold mining has intensified in the abandoned shafts around Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, as the price of gold continues to climb. The activity, carried out by miners known locally as zama zamas – a Zulu term meaning “to take a chance” – has drawn the attention of police and local residents alike.
Since 1991, Cora Bailey has treated injured wildlife in the townships surrounding Roodepoort through her charity, Claw (Community Led Animal Welfare). She has witnessed the growing presence of illegal miners in the area, noting that the surge in mining activity coincides with the recent rise in gold prices.
In late September, dozens of zama zamas arrived on a dirt road adjacent to Claw’s operations to dig for gold. The miners work in abandoned shafts that have become increasingly dangerous, creating sinkholes and leaving the landscape scarred.
The ongoing illegal mining poses risks to both the environment and the local community. The disturbed ground threatens infrastructure, while the use of unregulated explosives and heavy equipment can harm wildlife and people who live nearby.
Despite police efforts to curb the activity, officials report that the problem shows no sign of abating. The persistence of illegal mining in the region highlights the challenges of enforcing mining regulations in South Africa’s former goldfields.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
