According to local residents, they found gold and began selling it on the black market. Dangerous chemicals such as mercury and sodium cyanide are being used for this purpose.
Springs was once a center for gold mining, but the mines closed as the depth of the shafts made extraction economically unfeasible. Now the city is surrounded by informal settlements where many migrants from neighboring countries reside.
This week, the South African Department of Mineral Resources condemned illegal mining in the Gugulethu area, stating that it harms the environment.
One man who spoke to the BBC expressed hope for obtaining government permits for legal mining: “We understand that this is illegal. We want to work and pay taxes.” He added that as a father of two children, he needs to earn money for their education and sustenance.
Another interviewee noted that “this is the only way to earn money that we know,” adding that working in the mines has saved many from engaging in crime.
The price of one gram of gold on the black market is about $100 (£74), while the minimum monthly wage in the country is $368 (£270).
Many of those involved in the digging are from Lesotho. During the visit of the BBC film crew around 2 PM local time, children arrived on the site to help their parents search for gold after finishing their school classes.
BBC correspondents noted that some areas of land had become unstable. The Department of Mining warned of the risks associated with uncontrolled earthworks, especially for children.
Illegal mining has become a widespread practice in South Africa, and in recent years, many people have died as a result of working in unsafe conditions.
Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced plans to deploy the army to assist the police in combating criminal gangs and illegal mining. Authorities accuse illegal miners, known as “zama-zama,” of being linked to organized crime, but there are currently no official confirmations of such connections in Springs.
