Photos: The perilous lives of miners in South Africa's abandoned mines
Summary
In South Africa, many people, like Emmanuel Siyabonga, work in abandoned coal mines due to poverty and lack of job opportunities. These miners face dangerous conditions without legal permits, providing coal needed by local households while being considered criminals by the government.Key Facts
- Emmanuel Siyabonga works in an abandoned coal mine in Ermelo, South Africa.
- The work is physically demanding and risky due to toxic gases and poor conditions.
- South Africa is a top coal producer, but local communities near mines often live in poverty.
- Miners without permits, known as "zama zamas," illegally extract coal in hazardous conditions.
- Collecting coal provides a key resource for local households but is seen as illegal by authorities.
- Many abandoned mines are in South Africa's Mpumalanga province, where poverty is high.
- The Golfview coal mine was abandoned after financial difficulties led to halted operations in 2014.
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