An operation at the old Buffelsfontein mine in the North West has brought 26 illegal miners to the surface over the past two days, including 15 on Wednesday at Harmony Gold's Margaret Shaft. More than 1,200 zama zamas were arrested in November for various illegal mining activities.
JOHANNESBURG - In the North West, 15 illegal miners have resurfaced at Harmony Gold 's Margaret Shaft in Stilfontein on Wednesday as an operation at the old Buffelsfontein mine continues to bring hundreds of illegal miners to the surface.
Although Harmony Gold doesn’t own the mine occupied by hundreds of zama zamas, the illegal miners have been travelling kilometres underground from the disused shafts to re-emerge at one of the company's shafts as an exit. Officials say 11 other zama zamas resurfaced on Tuesday, bringing the total number of illegal miners who have resurfaced over the past two days to 26.In November, law enforcement intensified its crackdown on illegal mining in the area leading to the arrest of more than 1,200 zama zamas on various charges including the possession of gold-bearing material, trespassing and the contravention of the Immigration Act.
"They include 14 Mozambicans, 11 Basotho and one South African. Meanwhile, a total of seven bodies have been retrieved since early November 2024, to date," said the provincial police spokesperson - Seabata Mokgwabone.
Illegal Miners Harmony Gold Margaret Shaft Stilfontein Zama Zamas Arrests South Africa
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