Illegal or Artisanal – A Matter of Perspective

(SAM Strung Jan/Feb 2025, Page 35)
Dr. Andries van der Linde explores the blurred lines between illegal mining and artisanal practices in South Africa, arguing that whether an operation is considered illicit or entrepreneurial depends largely on perspective. He discusses the socioeconomic drivers pushing individuals into informal mining and highlights how regulatory frameworks and mainstream miners’ engagement could transform this problem into a formalised, economically valuable sector.