Illegal Mining in Brakpan: Miners Digging Beneath Snake Road Poses Safety Threat

Illegal mining activity is escalating in Brakpan, East Rand, endangering lives and threatening vital roads. In a striking example, miners are now tunnelling directly beneath Snake Road, a major arterial thoroughfare, creating serious risks for commuters and local infrastructure. Recent investigations confirm that what appears as a roadside pothole is, in fact, an entrance to an underground mining operation.

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The Threat Beneath Snake Road

The situation on Snake Road has reached a tipping point. A large sinkhole, appearing on the left shoulder as drivers approach the N12, is now a visible entry point for illegal miners. Anton Koen, from NoJack Vehicle Tracking, has circulated video evidence showing the extent of the excavation: deep tunnels and sand-filled hessian bags just beneath the road surface have been exposed in recent collapse events. Authorities have cordoned off part of the road, funnelling traffic into a single lane and alerting the public to the immediate dangers.

Golden Drive and its surroundings are well-known hotspots for illegal mining. The tunnels and sandbags discovered below Snake Road are clear evidence of underground mining activity, which weakens the road structure and increases the risk of a catastrophic collapse. Local councillors confirm that both the Roads Department and Rand Water have been notified, especially as the mining site may intersect with critical utility infrastructure.

Illegal Mining: A Persistent Local Problem

Illegal mining – often referred to as “zama zama” operations has plagued Gauteng for years, with Brakpan becoming one of the worst-affected areas. These operations are not only risky for miners, who often work without safety gear in unstable environments, but also cause lasting damage to roads, water pipes, and electrical infrastructure. In some parts of Brakpan, like near Plastic City, tar roads have been dug up and even power lines damaged to facilitate illegal mining.

Law enforcement officials, including police, Community Policing Forums (CPFs), and local authorities, regularly conduct raids to crack down on these activities. Despite these efforts, illegal miners remain persistent, sometimes operating directly beneath busy roads and residential areas.

The Broader Impact on Brakpan’s Infrastructure

The threat is not limited to Snake Road. Illegal miners have already caused significant destruction on other roads, such as Oval Road near Sherwood Gardens, which has suffered extensive underground tunnelling and was similarly at risk of collapse. Previous joint operations, involving SAPS, AfriForum, and Gold One Mine, have managed to close some of these dangerous trenches, but the problem persists. Residents and municipal authorities live in constant fear of a repeat of previous infrastructure disasters, such as the collapse of Main Reef Road, which was ultimately deemed unsafe and closed to traffic.

LEARN MORE: Illegal Mining Underneath Snake Road in Brakpan: Inside the Hidden Mine Shafts

Risks to Public Safety and Infrastructure

The dangers of illegal mining under roads are both immediate and long-term. The excavation of tunnels beneath the tarmac weakens the road foundation, making it vulnerable to sudden collapse. This poses a direct threat to motorists, pedestrians, and local businesses relying on these thoroughfares. Additionally, underground mining can damage water pipes, stormwater drains, and electricity cables, leading to service disruptions and costly repairs.

Authorities have issued warnings for commuters to stay vigilant, especially in areas where potholes or sinkholes have appeared. These are not simply maintenance issues they may signal hidden mines beneath the surface. Regular inspections and proactive reporting can help prevent accidents, but ultimate solutions require sustained law enforcement and community cooperation.

Law Enforcement and Community Response

Multi-disciplinary teams have carried out targeted operations in Brakpan. Teams include SAPS, CPFs, and private security companies. They focus on hotspots, such as the Plastic City informal settlement. These operations have led to arrests. They have also resulted in equipment confiscation and the closure of dangerous shafts. However, illegal mining groups often reorganise quickly. They return soon after enforcement actions.

Local authorities face a twofold challenge: removing existing threats and preventing new ones from forming. Initiatives to backfill excavated tunnels and remove illegal electricity connections show promise, but the sheer scale and profitability of illegal mining make it difficult to eradicate. Calls for more rigorous monitoring and stricter penalties for those caught mining illegally continue to rise among residents and officials alike.

Reducing Illegal Mining in Brakpan

Ending illegal mining requires a multi-pronged approach. Improved policing and intelligence gathering can help dismantle organised mining networks. Community education and incentivised reporting will encourage residents to alert authorities to suspicious activity. Investments in job creation and alternative livelihoods can also reduce the economic pull of illegal mining.

Modern technology, such as satellite monitoring and drone surveillance, can help detect new mining sites before infrastructure is compromised. Coordinated efforts between municipal government, law enforcement, and mining companies could further strengthen surveillance and enforcement.