Photos: The perilous lives of 'artisanal coal miners'
Summary
Artisanal coal miners in Ermelo, South Africa, work under dangerous conditions to support their families amidst widespread poverty and unemployment. These miners, known as "zama zamas," operate illegally due to difficulties in obtaining legal permits, despite providing necessary coal for local households.Key Facts
- Emmanuel Siyabonga is an artisanal coal miner in Ermelo, South Africa.
- The work is risky and involves hauling heavy sacks of coal from abandoned mines.
- The region, Mpumalanga, is one of the world's top coal-producing areas.
- Many residents live in poverty, lacking basic amenities.
- "Zama zamas" use simple tools and face significant dangers while mining.
- Officially, these miners are considered illegal due to the lack of permits.
- Siyabonga's earnings support his two children.
- The Golfview Mine, where Siyabonga mines, was abandoned after its operator ceased operations in 2014.
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