Several hundred people are believed to remain in an illegal mine in South Africa after the government cut off vital supplies and refused to help them, in a dramatic bid to crack down on the industry.

As the mining industry shrank in South Africa and mine owners began to abandon unprofitable sites, Zama Zamas started digging through what remained, without legal permits.

Mine rescue workers host up a cage that was used to rescue trapped miners at an abandoned gold mine, where miners were rescued from below ground, in Stilfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

That tactic to “smoke them out,” as described by a prominent Cabinet minister, was condemned by one of South Africa’s biggest trade unions. Police and the mine owners were also accused of taking away ...

Latest mining accident in South Africa. The developing story at Kloof is only the latest mining incident to hit South Africa, which has 561 legal mines along with a number of illegal operations.

South Africa's second biggest political party, which is part of a government coalition, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to order an inquiry into what happened at the Buffelsfontein mine.

Police officers and private security workers stand by a mine shaft in Stilfontein, South Africa, on Nov. 15, 2024. (Credit: Denis Parrell/AP.) Listen YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – A South African bishop ...

Mine rescue workers host up a cage that was used to rescue trapped miners at an abandoned gold mine, where miners were rescued from below ground, in Stilfontein, South Africa, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

What do a wildlife conservationist, a herd of trained elephants, a jazz composer and an architect have in common? In the ...

South Africa's second biggest political party, which is part of a government coalition, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to order an inquiry into what happened at the Buffelsfontein mine.