(Ecofin Agency) - Illegal mining occurs in most of the continent's mining countries. In South Africa, where abandoned mines number in the thousands, it is sometimes the cause of violence between armed gangs, not to mention the risks inherent in this practice: falls, toxic inhalation, etc.

In South Africa, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe will be visiting Welkom, in the Free State province, on the morning of Monday, June 26, to tour the Virginia mine, where at least 31 illegal miners, presumed to be Lesothans, recently died. The visit is part of the investigation launched by his ministry following the announcement of the tragedy a few days ago.

According to a press release dated Thursday, June 22, the said miners lost their lives in ventilation shaft 5 of the mine, which has not been in service since the 1990s. While three bodies have reportedly been recovered and brought to the surface by other illegal miners, the Ministry says it is "currently too risky" to send an official search team into the shaft due to the very high methane levels.

"However, we are considering various options to speedily deal with the situation. Although this is a unique and strange situation, all stakeholders involved will work to ensure that the suspected deceased illegal miners are brought to the surface," the statement concludes.

Illegal mining is a common practice in South Africa, encouraged by the thousands of abandoned mines. Illegal miners, sometimes from neighboring countries (such as Lesotho, landlocked in the rainbow nation), scout out these sites before investing in them in the hope of finding gold and escaping poverty.

Emiliano Tossou