Zama-zamas heading underground.

![Zama zamas heading underground](http://jenniferbruce.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/210.jpg "Zama-zamas heading underground.")
 
South Africa is the home to the largest gold and platinum resources in the world – and yet poverty is a rife. Many of the citizens are asking why they cannot share in the earth’s rich bounty. They are questioning why benefits from the revised mineral laws (Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002) aimed at a more equitable are not being felt by them. This coupled with a massive influx of illegal immigrants from countries north of South Africa (particularly Zimbabwe where a total melt-down in civil society is being experienced) has resulted in people taking mining into their own hands. The broad term is artisanal and small scale mining, but much of this mining is illegal and coupled with other criminal activities. These illegal miners are known as zama-zamas.
 
This illegal mining activity is found all along the outcrop and shallow underground workings of the Witwatersrand Basin where gold has been mined since 1886. These gold-bearing conglomerates are removed from pillars which were left by the original miners to stabilise the ground and prevent caving of the mining operations. When organised mining operations ended (in the areas close to Johannesburg this was mostly by the 1970s, slightly later out towards the East and West Rand Basins), the shafts were sealed and all surface infrastructure removed. However, due to the shallow nature of many of these old workings, the illegal miners are breaking open these seals and gaining access to the old workings.  As a result of this mining activity, the ground is becoming destabilised and current surface infrastructure like roads are becoming damaged and dangerous. The areas with the highest gold grades are fought over by gangs seeking to monopolise the industry. It would appear that the police are sympathetic to the illegal miners and it’s often seen as a victimless crime – the old abandoned mine owners are long gone and so who are they actually stealing from?
 
This week the South African news was once again filled with stories of zama-zamas being trapped underground and dying. The latest incident happened at the George Harrison Memorial Park in Langlaagte, Johannesburg which marks the site of the original discovery of the Main Reef of the Witwatersrand in 1886. The park and areas around the park have become a haven for these illegal miners and other illegal activities including child labour, prostitution and exploitation of women. The miners have gained access into the underground workings through an inclined shaft that was left as part of the commemorative site and original workings from surface. It would appear that a fire broke out underground (the old timber supports either ignite due to spontaneous combustion when exposed to air or are set alight by blasting or cooking activity by the miners). Men got trapped by the smoke and could not get to the fresh air. A rescue operation was conducted by the illegal miners themselves and further men failed to return to surface.  Finally the illegal miners approached the authorities who brought in trained mine rescue teams who subsequently rescued some of the miners (who were promptly arrested by the police) and recovered some bodies.  The official rescue attempts and body recoveries have been concluded with numerous illegal miners still unaccounted for. 
 
![enter image description here](http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get2/I0000kbRfOWOluUk/fit=1000x750/32846-Charlie-Shoemaker-012.jpg "Entrance to old mine workings at George Harrison Park.")
 
Entrance to old mine workings at George Harrison Park.
 
The solution to illegal mining in the Johannesburg area? It’s unlikely a solution will ever be found when people in dire economic circumstances are living on the most prolific gold field ever mined. The stories of illegal miners dying due to gang warfare or mining accidents will continue to fill the newspapers. The zuma-zumas are the one taking all the risks and forms just the first tier of a well organised five tier industry with the real wealth at the top tier (The top international receivers and distributors often associated with refineries and legal mining companies).
 
Sources:
http://www.chamberofmines.org.za/industry-news/.../fact.../3.../182-illegal-mining-2016a
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/another-body-of-zama-zama-found-20160912 http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/zama-zama-rescue-mission-on-hold-zwane-20160912