South African authorities have detained nearly 1,000 undocumented foreign nationals for illegal mining activities at the historic Sheba Gold Mine in Mpumalanga province, police confirmed on Friday.
The arrests were made as part of a large-scale security operation known as Operation Vala Umgodi, targeting illicit mining near the town of Barberton, close to the borders with Eswatini and Mozambique.
According to police, those apprehended had been working underground without legal documentation and now face charges related to immigration violations and illegal mining. Authorities also indicated that some of the detainees may be underage.
The week-long operation marks one of the most extensive crackdowns on illegal mining in recent years, with law enforcement warning that further arrests are likely.
Barberton Mines, the owner of Sheba Gold Mine, has welcomed the action, stating that illegal mining severely undermines safety and economic stability.
Sheba, one of South Africa’s oldest and most lucrative gold mines, dates back to the 1880s and played a pivotal role in the country’s gold rush. Despite remaining operational, the site has been plagued by theft and soaring operational costs, prompting efforts to restructure and secure its assets.
Illegal miners, often referred to locally as zama-zamas, operate in both abandoned and active mines using rudimentary methods. Many are migrants from neighboring countries, while others are South African nationals who turned to illegal mining amid economic hardship.
South Africa is home to about 6,000 abandoned mines, many of which have become hubs for unlawful mining operations. The latest crackdown reflects increasing government efforts to restore control over the country’s troubled mining sector.
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