Zama zamas need state protection, not persecution
Artisanal mineworkers call for regulation of the industry to deal with criminality.
BenchMarks Foundation
Ten points about ‘illegal’ mining
The public discourse on ‘illegal’ mining or zama-zamas has reached fever pitch with communities on Johannesburg’s west rand erupting in protest this week against the violence of zama-zama gangs. Here, David van Wyk explores ten points to get behind this ‘confusion’ or lack of critical thinking.
Jagersfontein seven months after mine dam collapse
Due to desperation, the Jagersfontein community is now divided with each side accusing the other of collaborating with the mine bosses and the police they accuse of being in the bosses’ pockets.
Zama-Zama war in Johannesburg’s west
As calls for formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining grow due to high levels of violence, rape and GBV, residents of Bosmont in the West Rand are calling for the deployment of the army to protect the community.
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