TIMELINE: Illegal mining in South Africa

Illegal mining remains a significant challenge in South Africa. Government has implemented Operation Vala Umgodi, a police strategy to deal with illegal mining by closing the access to the mines and forcing the illegal miners out. 

ILLEGAL MINING IN THE SPOTLIGHT - TIMELINE

3 July 2023 WATCH: Why Lesotho zama zamas risk lives to find gold in SA's abandoned mines 

Armed, dangerous, organised, and relentless in their pursuit of gold. Zama zamas (a colloquial term for illegal miners) from neighbouring countries continue to wage war on South African soil, holding mining companies to ransom in their quest for a better life. 

9 April 2024 7 suspected zama zamas arrested in Primrose, Ekurhuleni 

At least three of the suspects were shot and injured by members of EMPD, working together with the South African Police Service. 

SANDF the silver bullet for illegal mining in Mogale City, says mayor

WATCH: The complex task of retrieving illegal miners in Stilfontein

18 November 2024 Licensed mining companies buying gold from illegal miners, research finds 

A research paper by the Bench Marks Foundation found that legitimate mining companies would buy minerals from zama zamas. Researchers found that legitimate mining companies were supporting the illegal mining sector.

29 November 2024 Gauteng police investigating disappearance of illegal miners in Krugersdorp 

The illegal miners were reportedly searching for gold in an abandoned and decommissioned mine shaft when the earth above them collapsed.

2 December 2024 Pretoria High Court grants interim order for humanitarian aid for Stilfontein illegal miners 

The order follows a protracted operation by police and the army in parts of North West to clamp down on illegal underground mining networks.

Ramaphosa hails efforts to clamp down on illegal mining

Battling the complexities of illegal mining: 'They're human beings entitled to dignity' – legal practitioner

15 January 2025 More than 1,500 illegal miners arrested since Operation Vala Umgodi began 

More than five months since Operation Vala Umgodi began in Stilfontein, officials say 1,540 illegal miners are in police custody while 46 others have been found guilty of related crimes.   

3 February 2025 Mantashe laments humanitarian organisations for their stance on Stilfontein zama zamas 

Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe laments humanitarian organisations for their stance on the situation in Stilfontein.

20 April 2025 Mpumalanga police arrest 13 people for suspected illegal mining activities 

Police said the suspects, aged between 18 and 35, were caught operating without authorisation in the Simile informal settlement in Sabie on Friday. Upon further investigation, officers discovered the group also did not have valid identification, leading to additional charges under the Immigration Act. 

Mine rescue teams on-site at decommissioned Roodepoort mine to retrieve trapped zama zamas

Second group of illegal Stilfontein miners sentenced

15 June 2025 MACUA calls for justice and closure for families of illegal miners who died at Stilfontein 

The Mining Affected Communities United in Action calls for justice and closure for the families of illegal miners who died during Operation Vala Umgodi in Stilfontein, North West. The organisation, along with religious and traditional leaders, held a cleansing ceremony at shafts 10 and 11 of the Buffelsfontein mine. 

9 September 2025 SAHRC report finds govt failed to uphold human rights of Stilfontein zama zamas 

The South African Human Rights Commission finds that government failed to uphold the human rights of miners in Stilfontein who were allegedly in conflict with the law. 

Calls for police's political killings task team to tackle illegal mining syndicates

SAPS members net over 1,000 illegal miners in Mpumalanga

[WATCH] 24 Illegal miners appeared in the Barberton Magistrates court