Illegal gold mining drives environmental damage in South African townships

Illegal mining operations in abandoned shafts near Johannesburg are accelerating as gold prices rise, creating sinkholes and environmental degradation while law enforcement struggles to contain the activity.

First covered Oct 29, 2026 · 10:00 PM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Illegal gold mining drives environmental damage in South African townships — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

12d Guardian Environment Sinkholes, scarred land and scapegoats: the scourge of illegal gold mining in Johannesburg — There is no end in sight for the drivers of illegal mining, while police action appears ineffective Cora Bailey has been encountering illegal miners ever since…

Primary sources

enact-africa.s3.amazonaws.com 2019 04 24 Pulling The Golden Webs Research Paper (enact-africa.s3.amazonaws.com)

globalinitiative.net Gi Toc Strategic Organized Crime Risk Assessment South Africa (globalinitiative.net)

saimm.co.za 131 138 Viljoen (saimm.co.za)

More coverage from around the web

dailymaverick.co.za Illegal miners are undermining Joburg’s foundations, causing infrastructure collapse

allafrica.com South Africa: Roads, Shops, Factories and Homes Threatened By Sinkholes As Illegal Mining Hollows Out Joburg - allAfrica.com

ewn.co.za Illegal mining ravages Johannesburg

iol.co.za Illegal mining leaves Johannesburg roads, power networks and homes at risk

iol.co.za Illegal mining leaves Johannesburg facing R262m road-repair bill

Appeared in: 2026-10-30 (#15)

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