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After six months trapped underground, in Stilfontein, South Africa, in mid-January following a court order and intense public outcry.

An estimated 2,000 miners had been trapped underground after police blocked food and water from families and supporters in an attempt to force them into surrendering for arrest. In total, 87 died, many from starvation or dehydration, according to civic groups. Some survivors reportedly resorted to to survive.

Illegal miners, known as “zama zamas” in South Africa, are people who enter mining sites without authorization to extract leftover gold and other minerals, often under dangerous and exploitative conditions.

This incident highlights the current failures in security governance at abandoned mining sites. Rather than ensuring safety and protecting lives, the police response contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

To prevent similar tragedies, security governance at abandoned or closed mining sites must be improved, and inclusive policies that address employment needs must be implemented.

A dangerous occupation

As more mining sites in South Africa and across the world reach the end of their life cycles, the number of , along with the need for more effective security governance.

The value of remaining minerals, combined with the dearth of alternatives to sustain livelihoods, has led some people to engage in , despite the significant risks involved.

While illegal mining provides financial support for households in impoverished regions, it also .

South Africa is a prime example of these challenges. The country is home to an estimated and . Security governance challenges are a major part of , and these challenges continue to grow .

Current enforcement efforts are doing little to address the decades of poor post-mine closure management. South Africa’s requires mining companies to rehabilitate sites after closure, although compliance is sporadic, leaving communities and ecosystems at risk.

With , many young people aged 15 to 34 have turned to informal sectors, including illegal mining, due to its low entry barriers. Compounding the problem is the government’s failure to legally distinguish between .

5 ways to improve security governance

The Buffelsfontein incident is a grim reminder that security governance cannot rely solely on policing tactics. Addressing the worsening socioeconomic cycle of miners trapped in abandoned and uncontrolled mines will require governments, companies and local communities to .

Solutions must recognize that zama zamas work with no safety equipment and . We propose five solutions that, together, address the socioeconomic and governance challenges:

1. The Petroleum and Mineral Resources Development Act should be amended so mining permits are only granted when firms provide a mine closure security plan. This plan must include physical barriers like fencing and sealed shafts, with . Funding would come from an via annual contributions over the active lifespan of the mine to an interest-earning annuity held by a local financial institution and monitored by government and civil society.
2. Security efforts should combine private security firms with community-based approaches, including hiring local residents in monitoring roles. This approach will foster trust, create jobs, improve security governance and enhance .
3. Drawing from successful models in , drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence monitoring methods can help monitor and secure high-risk areas. When used ethically, such technologies can reduce unauthorized mining activities.
4. With unemployment in South African mining regions , governments and the private sector must focus on renewable energy, agriculture and entrepreneurship as economic alternatives for mining communities. , for instance, has transformed coal mining regions into renewable energy hubs that create jobs and revitalize local economies. South Africa can also repurpose abandoned mining sites for such initiatives.
5. As , it has an opportunity to expand its green bonds to for mining communities. These funds could finance infrastructure projects, vocational training and education so mining communities can transition successfully to other economic sectors.

Lessons for Canada

Canada is no stranger to the challenges of managing mines after closure. , and , tailing pond failures have led to environmental pollution during the post-closure phase of the mining cycle.

Investing in post-closure mine rehabilitation can prevent future harms to the environment, as well as . Green investors and sustainable finance funds must take a more active role in funding these efforts.

The Buffelsfontein tragedy should serve as a wake-up call: security governance must evolve from punitive enforcement to proactive protection. Providing alternative livelihoods to illegal mining weakens criminal networks, removes dangerous working conditions, reduces environmental harms and saves lives.

Though Canada is considered a , it could learn valuable lessons from South Africa’s experience. Adopting our suggested solutions could help Canada address its own abandoned mine risks and ensure a more sustainable future for its mining communities.

, Associate Professor of Political Studies, ; , Ph.D Candidate specializing in Critical International Relations and Comparative Politics /Graduate Teaching Assistant, , and , PhD Candidate/Researcher,

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