Africa's Mining Tragedies: A Colonial Legacy?

South Africa Mining Rescue Highlights Systemic Issues: Expert Interview A recent rescue operation in South Africa, where 260 miners were saved from a collapsed mine, has brought renewed attention to the challenges facing Africa's mining industry. Claude Kabemba, CEO of Southern Africa Resource Watch, offers critical insight into the root causes of these tragedies. "Most African states are quite dysfunctional," Kabemba states, highlighting the weakness of governance structures in managing the complex mining sector. This dysfunction, he explains, contributes directly to the unsafe conditions and human rights violations prevalent in artisanal mining. Kabemba further emphasizes the problematic integration of African mining into the global economy. He describes a "colonial model" where Africa primarily exports raw materials, receiving minimal economic benefit in return. "That tax is not enough to build the economies of these countries," he points out. The rescue of the 260 miners serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform within Africa's mining industry. Kabemba's analysis underscores the need for stronger governance, improved safety regulations, and a more equitable economic model that benefits African nations and their people.