Stilfontein mine

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The violent underworld of Stilfontein’s zama zamas

South Africa’s illicit gold trade is lucrative and controlled by gangs

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Feature | 28 November 2024

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Scenes from a zama zama rescue

“They wanted us to go and rescue these guys, but it’s impossible.”

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Feature | 21 November 2024

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Stilfontein’s dangerous and desperate illegal mining industry

Zama zamas search for gold in a vast and unmapped underground network of tunnels

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Feature | 19 November 2024

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In photos: Families of miners underground plead for help

About a thousand Zama zamas have already been brought to the surface

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Photo Essay | 15 November 2024