This has created a major headache for police and law enforcement agencies working to curb the spread of illegal mining activities in both provinces.

In an interview with OFM News , the Vala Umgodu Tactical Joint Operational Centre’s (TACJOC) Free State leader, Col. Nontando Ndzotyana, shed light on the situation, calling Stilfontein a “major challenge” as it serves as a hub for illegal miners, known as “zama zamas”, who move into the Free State.

Free State illegal mining TACJOC team. Photo: Lt Col Thabo Covane

Ndzotyana said the proximity of Stilfontein to the Kopanang mine in Welkom made it particularly difficult to control. Illegal miners use the notorious Stilfontein shaft to gain entry, and then walk underground for approximately a week to reach the mines in Welkom, where they extract valuable minerals.

“I’m sure you’ve seen on TV how they enter the mines and throw food. They would enter there, and underground, most mines are connected, so even if it’s not connected, they will dig a hole to open up that wall and find a way to the Free State.

“Plus-minus a week to walk. When they walk, it’s not a straight walk; you will find them on level 45, 65, and so on. As they walk, they are also digging for gold. If they don’t find it, they walk more until they get to us in the Free State,” Ndzotyana explained.

The police have developed strategies to counter the threat, including deploying specialised combat teams and explosives units, some of whom work underground to tackle the miners in real-time.

Stilfontein is considered the “mother” of illegal mining, as most of these activities originate there. “Yes, we have Beatrix mine where they also do the same thing, but basically, Stilfontein is different.

“You don’t enter normally. You have to use one of the holes, and some of them you find on farms. Sometimes these are old holes, but they find a way to get inside so they can gain entrance,” she added.

Zama zamas sometimes make their way to operational mines, where their presence is discovered when minerals are missing or tunnels are disturbed. Certain mines near North West are particularly vigilant: they immediately investigate any sudden drop in mineral output or unusual activity.

“Some mines that are close to North West would tell you if you drop from 9 to 7 tons, someone is digging. That is when they would send their people inside to look,” she said.

Some mine employees allegedly assist zama zamas

Despite the resources being dedicated to combat illegal mining, Ndzotyana stressed the problem persists, especially as some mine employees allegedly assist zama zamas by helping them enter or exit the mines after they have extracted minerals.

Sometimes employees at mines like Beatrix help zama zamas to enter and help them leave after they’ve dug up minerals,” she remarked. In some cases, illegal miners have been known to swallow minerals in an attempt to smuggle them out undetected. These people are scanned upon arrest to check if they have ingested any minerals.

The Stilfontein mine recently made headlines after efforts were made to get illegal miners out of the underground. It was revealed that over R30 million was spent on the Vala Umgodi operation to remove illegal miners from Stilfontein.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg