Illegal Mining

By President of Junior Mining Council Fred Arendse On 12 September 2023, a significant new chapter was written in South Africa’s mining industry at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). 

By Junior Mining Council President Fred Arendse South Africa cannot wish away the illegal mining crisis while leaving thousands of abandoned, derelict and ownerless mines without proper security or... 

Instead of relying primarily on traditional geological interpretation, South Africa can turn to AI for help in the same way as has been done with huge success to discover Zambia’s biggest copper... 

RUSTENBURG - At least 14 suspected illegal miners were killed and eight injured when a mine dump collapsed in South Africa's North West province on Monday night, police said. Search and rescue... 

Gold mining company Aurous Resources, which has been ticking away quietly off the radar with its revived Blyvooruitzicht and Doornfontein gold mines, is looking to adding 1 000 more employment... 

Instead of relying primarily on traditional geological interpretation, South Africa can turn to AI for help in the same way as has been done with huge success to discover Zambia’s biggest copper... 

The Junior Mining Council (JMC) extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the two members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who lost their lives... 

In a massive nationwide crackdown, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have intensified joint, multi-disciplinary efforts under Operation... 

Ghana's cabinet has approved amendments to its mining law for submission to parliament, Mines Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said on Wednesday, as part of government efforts to increase... 

Through exclusive interviews with zama zamas, syndicate insiders, intelligence operatives, and law enforcement officials, Zama Zama sheds light on the hidden mechanics of this shadow economy. The... 

Following positive developments in South Africa’s surface mining and quarrying sector from mid-2025 to year-end, recent international geopolitical turmoil has stymied any further growth in the... 

As questions mount over who should ultimately take responsibility for combating illegal mining in South Africa, industry leaders, security specialists, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and... 

The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) on Monday confirmed that decant from the Central basin has affected water quality in Boksburg lake. The TCTA operates and maintains three acid mine... 

The growing mistrust within South Africa’s mine security and law enforcement sectors will not stop the urgent need for stronger collaboration, according to organisers of the upcoming 5th annual... 

The Junior Mining Council (JMC) welcomes the arrest of 14 alleged illegal miners in Brits, North West, during a multi-disciplinary law enforcement operation involving the South African Police... 

The small-scale surface mining and opencast sector is contending with complex challenges – including lower affiliated commodities demand and illegal mining – which are hindering the industry’s... 

A presentation by University of South Africa (Unisa) Centre of Excellence: Adaptation and Resilience postdoctoral research fellow Dr Kennedy Manduna has challenged dominant narratives around... 

The explosion of illegal mining and its immeasurable economic and social effects have been at a critical point for many years. The annual Mine Security conference, hosted in Johannesburg, is one of... 

Amid a resurgence of illegal mining across South Africa, interventions and coordinated measures are being implemented to curb ongoing incidents across the country. This was discussed during an...