Ndumiso, a 52-year-old South African, works as an illegal miner, or “zama zama,” in a disused gold mine. After being laid off from a legal mining job, he joined a gang that runs underground mining operations. He spends months digging for gold and emerges only every three months to sell his finds on the black market. While the work is highly dangerous, with many miners dying from rockfalls or gang violence, Ndumiso earns significantly more than in his previous legal job. His earnings help support his family, send his children to school, and maintain a home.
The mining industry in South Africa has faced severe decline, and many workers, like Ndumiso, turn to illegal mining to survive. These underground operations, often controlled by criminal gangs, have become a part of a larger, mafia-like system. Gangs enforce their control with armed guards, charge miners “protection fees,” and sell the extracted gold illegally. Though the work is grueling, miners like Ndumiso often prefer it over resorting to other criminal activities.
The South African government has launched efforts to crack down on illegal mining, but such operations continue due to the high unemployment rate and lack of legal work opportunities. Ndumiso, like many others, finds the risks worth it, as it offers the chance to escape poverty. However, the alternative is not without its dangers. The underground “towns” are perilous, with miners sometimes facing threats from rival gangs or deadly accidents. Despite the risks, illegal mining has become an unfortunate lifeline for many South Africans in the country’s struggling economy.
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