South African authorities have arrested 225 illegal miners who emerged from an abandoned mine shaft in Orkney, North West Province, after being cut off from food and water. Known as “zama zamas,” these miners—many working under dangerous conditions—were forced to resurface after police blockaded supply routes, preventing accomplices from delivering essential resources.
The miners were detained as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal mining. Police continue to monitor abandoned shafts in the area, anticipating that hundreds more may still be underground.
Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, stated that over 13,691 suspected illegal miners have been apprehended across seven provinces since December 2023. During this period, authorities also seized uncut diamonds worth approximately R32 million (around $1.8 million) and cash totaling R5 million (around $283,000).
Illegal mining remains a contentious issue in South Africa, with thousands of miners—many from neighbouring countries—working in hazardous conditions. Their operations often lead to tensions with local communities and mining companies, who view these activities as a source of crime and economic disruption.