This month, the bodies of 21 miners were found in a mineshaft in Krugersdorp. They are believed to be among tens of thousands of vulnerable and desperate men who risk going underground to make a living in some of the most perilous working conditions in the world.
Artisanal gold mining in South Africa is out of control defenceweb.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from defenceweb.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
There are systemic reasons illegal mining has become such a threat to peace and security, including the state’s failure to nip this unregulated industry in the bud, and the failure to formalise artisanal mining as a livelihood strategy.