By: Eye witness news

In South Africa’s coal heartland of Mpumalanga, informal miners like Cyprial risk their lives daily in dangerous, abandoned tunnels, extracting coal by hand in near-total darkness. Though the government labels them "illegal miners," they refer to themselves as artisanal workers, providing a critical source of income in a region where unemployment exceeds 34% and many locals cannot afford the electricity produced from the coal they mine.

Despite South Africa’s commitment to a just energy transition, backed by an $8.5 billion international deal, these miners fear being left behind. They argue that formalizing and supporting small-scale mining could correct historical injustices and ensure communities benefit from the nation’s mineral wealth. An application for a collective mining permit has been lodged, but the costly, slow formalization process—requiring millions of rands for permits and environmental rehabilitation—remains out of reach for those living hand-to-mouth.

Advocates stress that a truly "just transition" must include pathways for artisanal and small-scale miners to operate legally and sustainably, especially as demand shifts toward critical minerals for green technology. Without inclusion, they warn, the shift to renewable energy risks repeating the exclusion and inequality that have long characterized South Africa’s mining sector.