蜜芽传媒

In South Africa an investigation is underway into what happened to 20 people found dead at an abandoned gold mine shaft in Orkney, Klerksdorp, outside of Johannesburg. Believed to be illegal miners from Lesotho, their bodies were found wrapped in plastic bags with burn marks on them. It's thought they may have been killed in an explosion.

Other miners say another 17 people are also missing.

The practice of informal mining is widespread in the country - with miners making just $3-6 a day.

Christopher Rutledge, executive director of Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) and Women Affected by Mining United in Action (Wamua) wants the practice to be brought into the open - and miners given some level of protection.

"You could start in Johannesburg and find your way underground through a maze of underground mining tunnels to hundreds of kilometres away. So to police that becomes almost impossible... You cannot just ban the practice of informal mining outright. The reality is these guys have no work, they have no income, and this is their only source of sustenance."

(Photo: Alleged illegal miners run from security personnel near Springs, on April 28, 2021. Credit: AFP)

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