Rumors of discoveries have attracted many people's attention, and they have started digging actively in hopes of getting rich. Armed with shovels and pickaxes, they are creating scenes reminiscent of the gold rush that once contributed to the economic development of South Africa.
Springs was once a thriving center of gold mining, but soon after the closure of local mines due to the unprofitability of deep mining, its fate changed. Now the city is surrounded by informal settlements, whose population mainly consists of migrants.
This week, the South African Department of Mineral Resources condemned illegal mining activities in the Gugulethu settlement located in Springs, pointing out their harm to the environment.
Some of the miners told the BBC that they managed to sell the gold they found on the black market. To separate gold from rock, they use dangerous chemicals such as mercury and sodium cyanide.
“We understand that this is illegal. But we want to obtain mining permits to work legally and pay taxes,” shared an anonymous worker. He also noted that, as a father of two children, he strives to provide for their education and food. Another participant in the dig added: “This is the only way to earn a living. It has kept many of us away from crime,” he said.
The price of one gram of gold is about $100 (or £74), which significantly exceeds the minimum monthly wage in South Africa—$368 (£270).
During a visit by a BBC film crew, many of the diggers reported that they had arrived from neighboring Lesotho. Around 2:00 PM, after school ended, children began to arrive at the site, first changing out of their uniforms and then joining their parents in the search for gold.
According to observations by BBC reporters, some areas of land have become unstable. The Department of Mining has warned that such digging could threaten the safety of those nearby, especially children, putting them at risk.
Illegal mining is a widespread problem in South Africa, and in recent years, many people have died as a result of working in unsafe conditions.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced plans to deploy the army to support the police in combating criminal gangs and illegal mining activities.
Authorities accuse illegal miners, known as "zama-zama," of being linked to organized crime, although there have been no official confirmations of their presence in Springs.
