South Africa dump site collapse kills 14 suspected illegal miners
Fourteen suspected illegal miners died after a mine dump site collapsed in South Africa. The incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by 'zama zamas' who scavenge in abandoned or active mining sites.
Why it matters
The tragedy underscores the socio-economic desperation driving illegal mining and the significant safety risks associated with the shrinking formal mining industry.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Khanyisile Ngcobo Johannesburg Reuters Police are now investigating what happened at the dump site South African police have launched an investigation after 14 suspected illegal miners died when a mine dump site collapsed on them on Monday night.
Eight others were injured and "an unknown number... may still be trapped underground", police said in a statement.
The site was being legally operated by a mining company and it is unclear how the miners, most of whom are believed to be from neighbouring Lesotho, gained access.
Illegal mining is rife in South Africa as miners, known in South Africa as "zama zamas" ("those who try their luck" in Zulu), try to eke out a living by digging in abandoned shafts or dump sites.
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