South Africa

2024 - 11 - 15

When Miners Meet Ministers: A Drama Under South Africa’s Soil!

Barloworld - community rescue efforts - economic reform in South Africa - illegal mining - rare earths project - S&P Global Ratings - South Africa government policies - Stilfontein mine

Illegal miners in Stilfontein have their own reality show going on as they navigate some serious drama with the government and police!

In a dramatic turn of events, South Africa's Stilfontein mine has become a battleground between illegal miners and officials, leaving hundreds of men trapped and at the mercy of their dire situation. The government, adamant about not providing assistance, has closed off all the entrances that previously allowed the transport of essential supplies like food and water to these underground miners. With reports suggesting that these miners are suffering from a lack of basic necessities, the tension escalated when a government minister vowed to "smoke out" those illegally underground, raising questions about their fate and the ethics surrounding illegal mining.

As the illegal miners bunker down, desperate families wait anxiously outside the shaft, hoping for news about their loved ones. This human element adds layers of heartache and anxiety to what’s happening below ground. Meanwhile, police remain firm in their stance, maintaining a standoff that’s attracting media attention from far and wide. The situation not only highlights the issues surrounding illegal mining practices in South Africa but also deepens the discussion about the risks miners are willing to take in search of gold.

Interestingly, the plot thickens as Barloworld is in talks with Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group to enhance their operations in the region, indicating a potential shift in focus from illegal mining to more formal distribution avenues. The rare earths project in Limpopo is also catching some serious attention as one of the most resilient in the world, suggesting that despite the chaos currently evident in Stilfontein, there are legit mining opportunities creating a more sustainable future for South Africa’s mining industry.

While tensions mount, the South African banks are under scrutiny for their climate strategies, needing to align with urgent global calls for climate action. This all-encompassing situation portrays a microcosm of the broader economic and environmental challenges within the country. It’s clear that whether you're underground hunting for illegally mined gold or negotiating multi-million deals above ground, South Africa is a tapestry of conflict and opportunity intertwined.

Did you know that South Africa is home to some of the deepest mines in the world, with depths that can surpass 4 kilometers? This intricate underground labyrinth paints a picture of both resilience and peril! Furthermore, the Limpopo rare earths project is projected to meet approximately 2% of global demand, potentially turning South Africa into a major player in this critical market. Who knew gold and grime could open doors to greener futures?

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Stilfontein mine: Volunteers enter South Africa shaft to aid miners (BBC News)

This week a government minister said those underground illegally would be "smoked out".

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

South Africa's government won't help the illegal miners inside a ... (NPR)

Miners are believed to be suffering from a lack of food, water and other basic necessities after police closed off the entrances used to transport supplies.

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Image courtesy of "Creamer Media's Engineering News"

South Africa's Barloworld in talks with Saudi Arabia's Zahid Group (Creamer Media's Engineering News)

Barloworld is in talks with a group of investors that includes a unit of Saudi Arabia's Zahid Group about the acquisition of the African distributor of ...

South Africa's rare earths project in Limpopo seen as one of world's ... (Creamer Media's Mining Weekly)

The rare earths recovery project which is underway in South Africa's Limpopo province, is seen as one of the world's most resilient rare earths projects at ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

Hundreds of illegal miners holed up in disused shaft in South Africa ... (CNN)

Several hundred people are believed to remain in an illegal mine in South Africa after the government cut off vital supplies and refused to help them, in a ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

Hundreds of South African miners, police continue standoff (Voice of America)

Hundreds of illegal gold miners remained stuck underground Friday at an unused mine in South Africa that police have surrounded. South African authorities ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

South Africa's banks struggle to align climate strategies with urgent ... (Daily Maverick)

A new report from Just Share evaluates the climate commitments of SA's largest banks — Absa, FirstRand, Investec, Nedbank, and Standard Bank — revealing ...

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Image courtesy of "South African Institute of International Affairs"

Yakhani Mjiyakho Appointed as South Africa COP29 Youth Delegate (South African Institute of International Affairs)

SAIIA's Youth Programme partnered with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFEE) to capacitate and upskill a youth delegate for this ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Families gather at South African mine shaft where hundreds are ... (Reuters)

Desperate relatives of possibly hundreds of illegal miners stuck underground in a disused mine shaft in South Africa waited outside the site on Friday in ...

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Image courtesy of "VOA Africa"

VOA 60: South Africa's government will not help the miners who are ... (VOA Africa)

South Africa's government says it will not help the hundreds of illegal miners inside a closed mine because of an official policy against illegal mining.

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

South African police in standoff with hundreds of illegal miners in ... (NBC News)

Desperate family members of illegal miners believed to number in the hundreds waited outside a disused mine shaft in South Africa on Friday in the hope of ...

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Image courtesy of "Morning Star Online"

South Africa refuses supplies to illegal miners squatting ... (Morning Star Online)

SOUTH Africa's government is refusing to help a group of illegal miners occupying a closed mine who have been denied access to essential supplies as part of ...

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Image courtesy of "Creamer Media's Mining Weekly"

Families gather at South African mine shaft where hundreds are ... (Creamer Media's Mining Weekly)

Desperate family members of illegal miners believed to number in the hundreds waited outside a disused mine shaft in South Africa on Friday in the hope of ...

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

South African residents try to rescue trapped illegal miners after ... (USA TODAY)

A community rescue effort to help illegal miners trapped in a mine shaft in South Africa emerged after police said they wouldn't help.

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Image courtesy of "The Wall Street Journal"

The Standoff Deep Inside an Abandoned South African Gold Mine (The Wall Street Journal)

STILFONTEIN, South Africa—Tlotlisang Makoanyane last saw her boyfriend about four months ago. She had just given birth to their daughter, and he, ...

South Africa: Icala aliboli – Drinking and driving, lies and deceit, still ... (Bowmans)

A recent case confirms that an employer is entitled to take disciplinary action where new evidence comes to light.

South Africa's mining crisis: Tensions mount as miners refuse to budge (TRT World)

The recovery of a body from the Stilfontein mine highlights the growing crisis, sparking debate over the government's tough stance and underlying ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Sabah"

Child poisoning scandal lights fuse of xenophobia in South Africa (Daily Sabah)

The deaths of 23 children in Johannesburg this year from suspected food poisoning have sparked outrage in South Africa, fueling tensions against foreign...

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Image courtesy of "News24"

SEE | These are the most hijacked vehicles in South Africa in 2024 (News24)

Vehicle crime is sadly a regular occurrence in South Africa. Security firms and insurers raised concerns about a hijacking surge earlier this year.

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Image courtesy of "ITWeb"

Skills for jobs: Microsoft Talent Cloud launches in South Africa (ITWeb)

Microsoft and Gebeya partner to connect local talent with certified experts and potential employers worldwide.

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Image courtesy of "News24"

'It's about serving my country': Meet the newly crowned Mr South ... (News24)

Cape Town's Marcel Roux, a 26-year-old physical education teacher and sports organiser, was crowned Mr South Africa 2024.

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

South African minister holds out olive branch to illegal miners in ... (Sky News)

Senzo Mchunu's comments seem more conciliatory than those of a cabinet minister who previously said the government would not send help because they were ...

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Image courtesy of "Independent Online"

S&P revises South Africa's outlook to positive amid economic reform (Independent Online)

However, the ratings agency maintained South Africa's credit ratings status below investment grade, with the sovereign's long-term foreign and local ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters India"

S&P revises South Africa's outlook to positive on better reforms ... (Reuters India)

Ratings agency S&P revised South Africa's outlook to "positive" from "stable" on Friday, citing plans for accelerated economic reforms by the new government ...

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Image courtesy of "News24"

S&P upgrades South Africa's ratings outlook, expects GNU growth ... (News24)

The US credit ratings agency S&P Global has revised South Africa's outlook from "stable" to "positive" – an indication that the country may be on track for ...

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Image courtesy of "eNCA"

WATCH | SA Ratings | Thumbs up for South Africa (eNCA)

S&P Global Ratings says this is based on improved reform and growth potential. The ratings agency kept SA's foreign-currency long-term rating at BB negative, ...

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Image courtesy of "BusinessTech"

South Africa desperately needs these skills (BusinessTech)

South Africa has major gaps in skills needed to shape the future economy – especially those dealing with the transition away from coal.

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Image courtesy of "BusinessTech"

Major 'instant EFT' changes for South Africa (BusinessTech)

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has issued a new directive restricting all electronic funds transfer (EFT) credit payment instructions in South Africa ...

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Image courtesy of "eNCA"

WATCH | SA Ratings | Thumbs up for South Africa (eNCA)

S&P Global Ratings says this is based on improved reform and growth potential. The ratings agency kept SA's foreign-currency long-term rating at BB negative, ...

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Image courtesy of "Africanews English"

South Africa sets up inter-agency team help bring illegal miners to ... (Africanews English)

A team including mine safety experts, police, the army and various government departments was scheduled to meet Friday to put together a plan, with the mine ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Volunteers mobilise as South Africa says it will rescue trapped miners (Aljazeera.com)

Government initially closed a shaft to deprive undocumented miners it called 'criminal' of food, water and medicine.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

South Africa denies illegal miners food and water to force them out (The Washington Post)

Officials are blocking access to basic supplies for hundreds of people underground in a northwest mine shaft as part of a crackdown on miners.

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Image courtesy of "Freight News"

Rangel South Africa strengthens fleet with 20 new trucks (Freight News)

Rangel South Africa has just announced an investment in the acquisition of 20 trucks to strengthen its current fleet, in line with its strategy to become a ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

South Africa Police Try Siege Tactics on Illegal Mining, Igniting Debate (The New York Times)

The police have cut off food and water to miners for weeks in a bid to force them out of an abandoned mine. Human rights advocates and community leaders ...

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