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South Africa Mine Trapped Miners
Thousands of illegal miners are trapped in a South African mine, prompting a government crackdown.
Spanish
United States
Humanitarian CrisisAfricaEconomic ImpactGovernment ResponseSouth AfricaIllegal Mining
South African Police ServiceSouth African GovernmentSouth African National Defence ForceCouncil For Minerals
Cyril RamaphosaKhumbudzo NtshavheniAthlenda Mathe
- What are the conditions like for the miners?
- The miners, known as zama-zamas, are facing dire conditions, with many emerging weak, hungry, and sick. One body was recovered from the mine.
- What is the government's response to the situation?
- The South African government refuses to provide aid to the miners, stating they will not assist criminals. High-ranking police and defense officials are scheduled to visit the site.
- What are the economic consequences of illegal mining?
- In the past year, over 13,690 suspected illegal miners have been arrested. Illegal mining costs the South African economy tens of billions of rands annually.
- How many illegal miners are trapped in the abandoned mine?
- An estimated 4,000 illegal miners are trapped underground in an abandoned mine in Stilfontein, South Africa. Authorities are attempting to remove them by cutting off their food and water supplies.
- What is the broader context of illegal mining in South Africa?
- Illegal mining is a longstanding problem in South Africa's former gold mining areas. The illegal operations involve larger syndicates that employ the miners.