In a large-scale crackdown on illegal mining, South African police announced on Friday the arrest of approximately 1,000 undocumented migrants operating in unlicensed gold mines in Mpumalanga province. The week-long operation targeted the Sheba Mine area near the village of Barberton, close to the borders of Eswatini and Mozambique.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesman Donald Mdhluli, more arrests are likely as many illegal miners remain underground. “As they are coming out, they have been taken,” Mdhluli stated, adding that no fatalities have been reported during the ongoing sweep.

The Sheba Mine, owned by Barberton Mines, had previously faced community backlash after laying off workers due to unprofitability. In a statement, the company revealed that illegal underground mining was a significant factor contributing to financial losses, noting a hidden network of miners being supplied with food and goods. “This message needs to be spread and illegal mining will not be tolerated,” the company emphasized.

This recent enforcement action mirrors a similar operation near Stilfontein in 2023, where over 90 illegal miners lost their lives, prompting the eventual closure of that mine. As with the Stilfontein incident, authorities in Barberton sealed off access points to cut supply lines, compelling the illegal miners to surrender.

The arrests represent a joint effort between local law enforcement and mine security, signaling a stronger stance against illegal mining activities that continue to pose economic and safety challenges across South Africa.