MACUA Renews Calls for Formalising Artisanal Mining in South Africa

The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) has amplified calls for the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in South Africa, stressing that better regulation could help prevent tragedies such as the one that occurred during Operation Vala Umgodi in Stilfontein, North West province.

On Saturday, MACUA stood shoulder to shoulder with traditional leaders, religious figures, and local communities at the site of last year’s crackdown, where numerous illegal miners lost their lives. In a deeply spiritual cleansing ceremony, the group paid tribute to the fallen and demanded a more inclusive and humane approach to mining regulation.

Speaking at the ceremony, MACUA spokesperson Sabelo Mnguni highlighted the critical role that artisanal mining plays in the lives of many South Africans. He urged the government and mining authorities to acknowledge and formalise the informal sector, rather than continue punitive crackdowns.

“What we need to understand is the long and complicated history of mining in South Africa,” Mnguni said. “Artisanal mining has always been part of that history. It provides income to thousands who are otherwise excluded from formal employment and economic participation.”

According to MACUA, criminalising small-scale miners without offering regulatory pathways or community-led solutions has only exacerbated tensions, led to unnecessary deaths, and deepened inequality in historically marginalised areas.

The Operation Vala Umgodi crackdown in 2023 was intended to disrupt illegal mining operations that had reportedly become a source of violent crime, environmental degradation, and economic loss. But for communities like those in Stilfontein, the heavy-handed approach was seen as an attack on survival and dignity.

The operation resulted in dozens of arrests and several reported deaths, though the exact number remains disputed. Community members claim many of those who died were simply trying to feed their families through small-scale mining—an activity they say has been ignored or vilified by authorities.

MACUA, which represents mining-affected communities across the country, said it views the operation as a painful reminder of the exclusionary nature of South Africa’s mining legislation and enforcement policies.

“Instead of criminalising the poor, the state should be working with communities to create a legal framework for artisanal mining that ensures safety, environmental sustainability, and economic inclusion,” said Mnguni.

Spiritual Cleansing and Cultural Healing Led by MACUA

The cleansing ceremony, spearheaded by MACUA, served as both a spiritual ritual and a form of protest. Participants lit candles, offered prayers, and performed traditional rites to cleanse the land and bring peace to the souls of those who died.

Elders and traditional leaders spoke passionately about the need to restore the dignity of those affected, and for the government to engage with communities in a meaningful and respectful way.

“This land holds the blood and sweat of our people,” said a local elder. “We cannot allow their spirits to remain restless, nor can we allow more blood to be spilled in the name of law enforcement.”

MACUA’s long-term goal is to see a comprehensive national policy that recognises artisanal mining as a legitimate form of economic activity. This would involve issuing permits, providing training, ensuring health and safety standards, and facilitating access to markets for small-scale miners.

The group believes that a community-driven approach to regulation is essential if South Africa is to avoid further conflict in mining regions.

“We are not asking for charity,” Mnguni explained. “We are demanding that government recognise the rights and realities of those who have been excluded from the formal mining economy for too long.”

He added that MACUA has already submitted policy proposals to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and is willing to work collaboratively to ensure safer and more inclusive mining practices.

As South Africa grapples with the twin challenges of unemployment and economic inequality, groups like MACUA argue that inclusive mining practices could serve as a powerful tool for community development.

The events in Stilfontein remain a painful chapter, but MACUA hopes the tragedy can be a catalyst for change—a turning point where the government shifts from confrontation to cooperation with those at the coalface of poverty.

For the families of those who died, justice may begin not in the courtroom, but in acknowledgment, dialogue, and systemic change. And for MACUA, the fight continues—not just for policy reform, but for the restoration of dignity, rights, and hope in South Africa’s mining-affected communities.

Source- EWN