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South Africa is not mincing against 4,000 illegal miners trapped inside a closed mine in the North West province and has, instead, promised not to provide assistance at all costs.

As part of the 'Close the Hole' (Vala Umgodi) operation, SA police have blocked entrances to the mine in Stillfontein, cutting off the miners from food, water, and other essential supplies.

South Africa Against Illegal Mining

South African authorities are aiming to use this strategy so they can force miners to emerge from the mine where they will face arrest. Over the past few weeks, AP News reported that nearly 1,000 miners have already surfaced, many in weakened condition after enduring days without food and water.

Cabinet Minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, stated that the government has been firm on their will to not assist miners since they were engaged in illegal activities. According to US News and World Report, these thousands of miners voluntarily entered the mine to extract leftover minerals, despite knowing the risks involved.

In the country, illegal mining has been increasingly rampant, especially in closed-down gold mines where miners, often from neighboring countries, enter abandoned shafts to search for remaining deposits. Known as 'zama zamas,' they are frequently linked to criminal networks that organize and finance the operations.

These mines have also become a source of tension for nearby communities that report high rates of crime, including theft and violence perpetuated by illegal miners. Additionally, the community members have already raised additional concerns about safety, as illegal mining groups are often heavily armed, and rivalries among groups can lead to deadly confrontations.

Hence, why most favor the "smoke out" operation of South Africa.

For the South African government, the operation has an ultimate goal to address the issue of illegal mining while also deterring future illegal miners from attempting similar actions.

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South Africa