In response to these growing concerns, Interpol has recently launched an operation targeting illegal gold mining in West Africa, which has resulted in significant arrests and the seizure of dangerous chemicals, explosives, and drugs. The operation spanned Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, and Senegal, shedding light on the vast networks driving illegal mining activities in the region.
Tragically, the dangers of illegal mining were underscored by a deadly incident in Ghana's Ashanti region, where at least 11 people lost their lives during a violent confrontation between illegal miners and soldiers.
The situation in South Africa (SA) has been similarly grim. Last week, authorities and community members recovered nearly 200 bodies from a collapsed mine in the Northwest Province, many of them heavily decomposed. Among the dead were Mozambican nationals, with some bodies still unidentifiable. Zimbabwean families, including the Ramaphosa family, continue to search for missing relatives believed to have been involved in illegal mining activities.
The complexities surrounding illegal mining extend beyond tragic loss of life. Illegal mining, often referred to as artisanal or small-scale mining, is rampant across the continent, with millions of people seeking economic opportunities in the sector. However, these mining operations are typically unsafe and hazardous to both miners and the environment.
Dr Claude Kabemba, Executive Director of the Southern Africa Resource Watch, emphasises the urgent need to address the regulation of artisanal mining to safeguard lives and resources.
In countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe, artisanal mining is legal but remains largely unregulated, making it an inherently dangerous occupation. While governments have made efforts to legalise mining practices, enforcement remains weak, leading to widespread corruption and exploitation by political elites and foreign interests. The DRC, for instance, is a major producer of cobalt, a critical component in the manufacture of batteries for electronic devices. Yet, artisanal miners often operate in perilous conditions, and the government fails to capture significant revenue from this lucrative sector.
In SA, the infamous "Zama Zama" miners, who work illegally in abandoned gold mines, face constant danger. Many are former miners who return to the pits in search of income, even though they are fully aware of the health and safety risks. The broader economic impact of illegal mining is felt in the local communities that rely on these activities for survival. While artisanal mining provides employment for many, it also perpetuates poverty, as workers often receive little compensation for their labour and face significant risks.
The informal nature of the sector also distorts local mineral markets, as governments lose out on taxes and royalties. According to Kabemba, many African governments fail to maximise revenue from artisanal mining due to poor governance and corruption. In Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the DRC, for example, minerals extracted by illegal miners often enter international markets through illicit channels, bypassing official certification processes and causing a significant loss of potential government revenue.
Despite these challenges, Kabemba suggests that there are opportunities for improvement. Countries like Rwanda and Tanzania offer examples of how artisanal mining can be organised in a safer and more regulated manner. However, these successes remain exceptions rather than the rule.
--ChannelAfrica--
