Sheba Gold Mine says it's blocked all known supply routes used by zama zamas

BARBERTON - Sheba Gold Mine said it had blocked all known supply routes used by illegal miners, but admitted that the site’s sprawling network of shafts and tunnels made it nearly impossible to seal off completely.

More than 500 zama zamas have been arrested at the mine since last week, the focus of the police's Operation Vala Umgodi to combat illegal mining.

On Monday, the first batch of 494 miners appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on charges, including trespassing and contravening the Immigration Act.

ALSO READ:

- 28 more illegal miners resurface from Sheba gold mine, confirm police

- Mpumalanga NPA waiting for police docket before prosecuting 24 resurfaced illegal miners

- 4 of the nearly 500 illegal miners arrested at Mpumalanga gold mine are juveniles

- Mpumalanga police arrest 24 more illegal miners at Sheba Gold Mine

Only 26 were granted bail — the rest were remanded in custody until their next court date next week.

Following Friday’s mass arrest, another 24 illegal miners were detained on Monday and 28 more on Tuesday.

Police said that these latest groups went even deeper underground to avoid detection.

The mine said its underground system stretched for kilometres, with hidden access points scattered across dense bush and steep terrain.

While all identified supply routes had been blocked, secret or makeshift entries were hard to detect and often re-opened by illegal miners.

Security teams continue to patrol both above and below ground in a bid to flush out anyone still inside.

Mine spokesperson, Hethen Hira: "For their own safety and for the safety of communities around us, it is illegal, unsustainable, and against the law. We need to put a stop to it."

Official mining operations continue, but authorities expect more illegal miners to surface in coming days.