Johannesburg is grappling with a significant increase in illegal gold mining operations, leading to environmental degradation, the creation of sinkholes, and strain on local resources. The phenomenon, often referred to as 'zama zamas,' involves miners extracting gold from abandoned shafts, a practice that has intensified as global gold prices rise.

These illegal mining activities have become a pervasive issue across the region, particularly in areas surrounding abandoned mine shafts. The zama zamas, a term in Zulu roughly translating to 'to take a chance,' are a visible and growing presence, often operating in close proximity to residential areas and local businesses.

One such instance has directly impacted the Community Led Animal Welfare (Claw) charity, founded by Cora Bailey. For over three decades, Bailey has encountered illegal miners while treating injured animals. Recently, dozens of zama zamas began using the charity's water tanks, essential for the 100 rescued animals on site, to process gold. Bailey noted that while she had previously accommodated their need for drinking water, the scale of their extraction left the charity critically short, forcing them to restrict access.

Bailey reported that police informed her the illegal mining operations were too vast for them to effectively address. While police have conducted arrests, with authorities claiming to have apprehended 71 suspected zama zamas nationwide in a single week, researchers estimate the number of illegal miners to be in the tens of thousands. These operations are believed to contribute significantly to illegal gold exports, with one estimate from 2019 suggesting a tenth of South Africa's gold production, valued at approximately $1 billion, was exported illegally.

The environmental consequences of these activities are stark. Abandoned mine shafts, often unstable, pose risks of collapse, leading to the formation of dangerous sinkholes. The land itself is scarred by the excavation and processing activities, raising concerns about long-term ecological damage and land usability.

Furthermore, police actions against illegal mining have sometimes led to tragic outcomes. In 2025, authorities recovered 93 bodies from mining-related incidents, underscoring the perilous nature of the work and the challenges in managing these operations.

The economic drivers behind the surge are clear, with the soaring price of gold making even marginal extraction profitable for illegal miners. This creates a complex socioeconomic challenge, as the zama zamas are often driven by poverty and lack of alternative employment opportunities.

Questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of law enforcement strategies and the potential for sustainable solutions that address both the illegal mining and the underlying socio-economic factors contributing to it. The ongoing environmental damage and the safety risks associated with these operations present a persistent challenge for Johannesburg and its surrounding communities.