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South Africa Sees New Gold Rush Fever Erupt
16 Feb
Summary
- Dozens of fortune-seekers have flocked to Springs, inspired by surging gold prices.
- The gold rush aims to provide survival for many in a country with high unemployment.
- Prospectors earn modest sums, highlighting the need for formal mining opportunities.
The South African township of Springs has become the unexpected center of a gold fever, drawing numerous fortune-seekers. This resurgence of gold prospecting echoes the historical rushes that established Johannesburg, the nation's financial hub, in the early 20th century.
The current frenzy is fueled by a dramatic surge in gold prices, which have more than doubled this year, surpassing $5,000 an ounce. This economic shift has prompted many, including security guard Princess Thoko Mlangeni, to try their luck in the soil.
The scramble gained momentum after someone discovered unusual soil while digging a fence post hole. Word spread rapidly via social media, leading to an influx of hopeful prospectors into the area. For many, this endeavor is less about immense riches and more about securing daily survival in a nation grappling with a 32 percent unemployment rate.
Some, like Siyabonga Sidontsa, find that even modest finds can make a significant difference. Sidontsa earns about $30 in five days, more than his weekly income since losing his gardening job five years ago, enabling him to buy food for his family. Larger operations involve tipper trucks, with men digging and women transporting the soil.
The situation highlights a desire for formal employment, with locals expressing a wish for the establishment of official mines. This trend is reminiscent of a 2021 incident where a diamond rush in KwaZulu-Natal was later identified as quartz, underscoring South Africa's complex relationship with its mineral wealth and artisanal mining.
