COMPANY COMMENT
The DRDGold robbery requires a different response
What to do with zama-zamas? Perhaps take them into the formal mining fold
22 October 2019 - 17:29
The latest death resulting from gold theft was on Monday night at DRDGold’s Ergo tailings retreatment plant when gunmen stormed it, had a shoot out, killed the chief security guard and made off with 17kg of gold in concentrate. The gold is worth about R12m.
However, the gunmen are unlikely to see that much. The gold has to be extracted from the concentrate, refined as much as possible in unsophisticated backyard facilities, then sold. It’s impossible to say what the gunmen will realise for the gold, but one value can be firmly fixed to that gold: one life...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.