Large-scale illegal chrome mining in Modderspruit near Rustenburg has split the local community, with some residents benefiting from compensation while others face safety risks and property damage. Deep pits pose dangers to children, and damaged infrastructure has disrupted daily life. Residents have appealed to authorities for intervention, but no action has been taken.
In the village of Modderspruit, near Rustenburg in South Africa's North West province, illegal chrome mining has transformed a once peaceful community into a divided one. Many residents have allowed mining groups to operate on their properties in exchange for compensation, but this has come at a steep cost to others.
Complaints center on the deep open pits left by miners, which residents say endanger children and livestock. Homes have been damaged, streets dug up, and access within the village has become nearly impossible due to the excavations. One anonymous resident told the SABC, “We have been living here for a while. We are very invested as residents. Things were improving, there was a lot of development. The road was muddy but was later paved. This was before the illegal mining activities.”
Safety fears are mounting, with reports of accidents including a truck overturning while carrying excavated soil. Another resident expressed concern: “They dig a hole until they even dig into your fence. You do not know when you or your child is going to fall in there. Even the excavated soil falls in the hole. One of the trucks carrying the soil fell over a while back. Even the women who collect the rocks get hit by those trucks. We are wondering if our children are safe.” Some locals fear for their lives amid the chaos.
In October, residents contacted the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, urging a halt to the activities and site rehabilitation. The issue was also reported to the police, but community members claim authorities have turned a blind eye despite being aware of the illegal operations. Inquiries to the department and the South African Police Service yielded no responses.