Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
18 January 2025 | 09:08 CAT

Stilfontein mine site, where the recent tragedy has reignited calls for the regulation of artisanal mining in South Africa. (File photo/Getty Images)

The recent tragedy at Stilfontein mine, which ended with 78 fatalities and 246 people rescued, has reignited discussions about the role of artisanal mining in South Africa’s economy. Experts warn the official death toll may be an undercount, with many miners still unaccounted for in the abandoned shafts.

David van Wyk, The Benchmark Foundation’s mining expert, spoke to Radio Islam International, highlighting systemic failures in the handling of the tragedy and the broader implications for South Africa’s mining sector.

“Many Zama Zamas starved to death after authorities cut off food and water supplies during operations to clamp down on illegal mining,” Van Wyk explained. He noted that such operations often overlook the socio-economic realities faced by these miners, many of whom turned to artisanal mining after large-scale industrial mines retrenched thousands of workers.

Van Wyk emphasized the devastating impact of mine closures on surrounding communities, stating, “When 5,600 workers are suddenly retrenched, the entire local economy collapses. These individuals lose their only source of income, leaving entire families in despair.”

The tragedy has also shed light on the lack of proper legislative frameworks to regulate artisanal mining. “South Africa treats artisanal mining as illegal, creating a vacuum where criminal elements thrive,” Van Wyk observed. He pointed out that other countries have successfully integrated artisanal mining into their economies, turning it into a legitimate, job-creating industry.

Van Wyk proposed a radical shift in how South Africa approaches mining: “Why do we insist that only large corporations can mine? There is still gold and diamonds in these abandoned mines. By formalizing artisanal mining, we can create jobs, revive local economies, and even develop a value chain around jewellery manufacturing and diamond polishing.”

The expert also criticized mining companies for neglecting their responsibilities. “There’s R47 billion in unpaid pension funds for mine workers, and companies walk away without rehabilitating abandoned sites. This neglect is criminal,” he argued.

The Stilfontein disaster underscores the urgent need for policies that balance economic opportunity with humane treatment of miners, potentially transforming a long-neglected sector into a source of sustainable growth.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and David van Wyk here.