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South African police arrested 1000 illegal miners in Barberton after surrounding a gold mine. The ongoing operation follows January's Stilfontein tragedy where 78 miners died during a similar police action. south-africa-illegal-miners-arrest

Massive Crackdown on Illegal Mining

South African police have arrested approximately 1,000 illegal miners during a targeted operation in Barberton, Mpumalanga province. Authorities surrounded an illegal gold mine earlier this week, cutting off supply routes to force workers to surface.

Operation Details

Police confirmed the operation remains ongoing, with suspicions that additional miners remain underground. A spokesperson stated: "We've found no fatalities thus far." The detained individuals are believed to be undocumented migrants participating in unlawful mining activities.

Stilfontein Tragedy Echoes

This operation follows January's disastrous police action in Stilfontein, where a months-long mine encirclement resulted in 78 deaths before a court-ordered rescue saved 246 survivors. A government minister had initially vowed to "smoke out" illegal miners.

Illegal Mining Crisis

South Africa faces significant challenges with illegal mining operations, locally called "zama zamas" (those who try their luck). These unregulated activities frequently involve hazardous working conditions, environmental damage, and connections to organized crime. Despite enforcement efforts, economic desperation continues driving participation in these dangerous operations.