| Written by Mark Buzinkay
Mine security: Precarious situation in South Africa
South African mining faces a serious problem: Illegal miners (1), known as Zama Zamas. These miners, predominantly undocumented migrants from neighbouring countries, engage in illicit mining in abandoned or disused shafts, particularly around Johannesburg's Witwatersrand goldfields. Their activities have led to significant financial losses for the mining industry, costing around ZAR 21 billion annually, with increased expenditures on security measures to combat illegal incursions.
Zama Zamas operate in hazardous conditions without proper safety equipment, leading to frequent accidents and health issues. They are often controlled by organised crime syndicates and are involved in violent confrontations with rival gangs, mining security, and law enforcement. Numerous violent crimes are linked to illegal mining areas, which exceed those in South African cities notorious for violence. Such incidents include turf wars, gang rapes, and armed robberies, posing severe threats to community and industrial security.
Mining companies face direct threats from Zama Zamas trespassing on active mining sites, stealing valuable materials like copper and gold, and setting traps to fend off rivals and security personnel. As the South African legislation does not specifically address illegal mining, law enforcement faces challenges in effectively prosecuting the miners. The government's responses, including police crackdowns and community vigilantism, have sometimes escalated into xenophobic violence against the predominantly foreign illegal miners.
Additionally, illegal mining contributes to environmental degradation, such as water contamination, sinkholes, and mercury pollution, exacerbating the ecological risks already posed by legal mining activities. The social fabric of mining communities is also disrupted due to crime, prostitution, and substance abuse linked to Zama Zamas. Despite these severe security, environmental, and social threats, the rise in illegal mining is driven by broader structural issues, including economic hardship, unemployment, and the legacies of exploitation in the region.
Read also: Chile Mine Disaster and How the Sector Changed
Why is Security Important for Mines?
Mining sites are often located in remote and hard-to-access areas like deserts, mountains, or steppes. This remoteness increases security risks, and without adequate security, valuable assets and employee safety can be threatened. Effective security protects physical assets and ensures that mining operations can proceed without disruption, but as the example of Zama Zamas has shown, mine security is a challenging task.
Common Challenges for Mine Security
- Perimeters are a challenge since fencing is often impractical due to site sizes and landscapes. Moreover, even when fencing and other physical barriers are installed, they can be easily breached or bypassed by determined intruders, making them less effective than intended.
- Illegal mining is hard to prevent throughout all tunnels and remote locations. The expansive underground networks and isolated areas provide ample opportunities for unauthorised access, making it difficult to monitor and control every point effectively (see also our white paper: Mine access).
- Mining and aggregate vehicles and equipment are expensive assets, and the downtime to replace and repair them is very costly. Any damage or theft not only results in financial losses but also disrupts ongoing operations, affecting overall productivity and safety.
- Securing assets and valuable and hazardous materials is challenging due to their movement throughout the site. The constant relocation of these items creates opportunities for theft or mismanagement, necessitating continuous monitoring and control measures.
- Patrols are expensive, can't have eyes and ears everywhere, and are subject to everyday distractions. Human limitations and the sheer scale of mine sites mean that even the best-trained personnel can overlook or miss critical incidents.
- Video surveillance cameras can help in providing wide area situational awareness, but they don't prevent crime – they only document it – but only if they're operational and properly placed at the time of the incident. Additionally, surveillance systems require ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure they function correctly and provide actionable information when needed.
Tasks and Services of Mining Security
Various security services are specifically designed for the needs of the mining industry to protect people, expensive equipment, and intellectual property. Here are the main tasks of security services for mining:
- Monitoring mining areas to prevent unauthorised access: This includes strict supervision of anyone entering and leaving the mining site, often employing real-time tracking and reporting to ensure a secure perimeter is maintained at all times.
- Using advanced integrated security systems, such as access cards, motion sensors, and CCTV, to monitor activities around the mining area, combining these technologies with analytics software to quickly detect and respond to potential security breaches.
- Protecting important assets, such as equipment and machinery used in the mining process, by deploying specialised guards and implementing robust asset management protocols to minimise the risk of theft or vandalism.
- Conduct routine patrols and visual inspections of equipment and machinery to ensure there is no damage or sabotage and for signs of wear and tear that could indicate future security vulnerabilities or safety hazards.
Mine Security solution
Security, monitoring, and access control systems provide layered protection by supporting strict, regulated security practices and ensuring accurate reporting. These systems offer advanced identity management and facilitate the convergence of IT and physical security presence, creating a more cohesive and comprehensive security environment. Additionally, they enable the integration of process control with video or imaging systems, enhancing overall security and operational efficiency through a unified approach. This includes
- Integrated security systems
- Video surveillance and process monitoring
- Advanced video analytics
- Video and imaging management systems
- Intrusion detection
- Access control
- Integration with other systems, such as fire and emergency
The implementation of a mine security solution follows several steps and depends on the local needs of the mine and mine operator. A typical example could look like this example from a mine in Central Africa:
Phase 1
The mine operator's first priority was to secure the perimeter of the mining areas. This involved installing fencing and gates to establish clear boundaries and control all access points. To enhance security and streamline operations, high-tech solutions such as access control systems and automated gates were introduced. These technologies help prevent unauthorised access and improve operational efficiency by reducing the chances of accidental security breaches or errors caused by human oversight.
Phase 2
The next step was to establish a robust on-site physical security presence by deploying security guards. The mine security team proposed a strategic deployment plan that positioned guards at key locations around the property and all access points. These guards were tasked with controlling entry and exit, deterring criminal activity, and responding promptly to any incidents. To maintain constant vigilance, security personnel were scheduled to work around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, guards were assigned to patrol the premises on foot and by vehicle, which enabled them to monitor for suspicious behaviour and respond quickly to any security threats.
Phase 3
To further enhance security, the mine operator deployed teams at random intervals throughout the day and night to create a heightened sense of security and serve as a strong deterrent to potential intruders or criminals. Such units are well-documented as an effective method for reducing crime, and their presence on-site provided the customer with added reassurance of a secure environment.
The results were immediate, significantly reducing security breaches and ensuring the safety of the mine's operations.
Access control
Access control to mines is one of central aspects of mine security as described above. There exist several measures to apply access control effectively.
Human access control
Human access is the most critical part of access control. Physical barriers control the entry/exit to areas. Typical examples are (revolving) doors, full-height industrial turnstiles, mantraps, and electronic speedgates.
All of these physical barriers are combined with an identification and authentication method - either manually done by a guard, or automatically by various digital means.
If a mine contains sensitive or valuable materials, you should consider installing a mantrap. These mechanisms ensure that no dangerous weapons are brought in and no expensive tools are taken off the premises. Mantraps offer a security solution like no other. At the end of the day, it is important that the safety of your employees and the contents of your mine are protected.
Biometric Identification
To control access to critical areas, you can add biometric identification that only grants access when the biometrics match the data linked to an ID. You can also use any other type of multifactor authentication, track time and attendance, and generate various reports. If unauthorised persons make access attempts, you will receive automatic notifications on your display, phone, or email.
Electronic Identification
An electronic chip that acts as a digital passport is an alternative or additional identification method. It grants the owner certain rights based on the electronically stored identity. Such systems are often based on NFC technology and enable access control and monitoring within the mine area (read also: Miner Tracking: Tag solution in real-world scenarios).
Vehicle access control
Securing the entrances to the mine is not enough; you should also ensure that the premises restrict access. Vehicle barriers can ensure that no unauthorised vehicles are allowed on the premises. This mechanism allows only those who have a tag or are on the list to get into the parking lot.
Automation of vehicle access control to the mining facility enables you to prevent violations, streamline operations, and record all vehicle entrances and exits. Such a system records the time and date, the video footage of vehicle passage and checks licence plate numbers against the database to grant or deny access to the territory.
FAQ Mine Security
What are the most effective countermeasures for preventing unauthorised access to mining sites?
Securing the perimeter is crucial to prevent unauthorised access. This typically involves installing fencing, gates, and advanced access control systems like automated gates and electronic identification methods. Physical barriers such as full-height industrial turnstiles and mantraps can be combined with biometric identification for enhanced security. Additionally, vehicle access control measures, including automated barriers and license plate recognition, help regulate and monitor vehicle entry, further securing the site.
How can mining companies enhance the effectiveness of their security personnel?
Mining companies can enhance the effectiveness of security personnel by strategically deploying guards at key access points and throughout the mining area. These guards should operate 24/7 and conduct regular patrols, both on foot and by vehicle, to monitor for suspicious activities. The use of day/night units can further bolster security, as these units provide an additional deterrent against illegal activities and help detect potential threats.
What role do technology and automation play in combating illegal mining activities?
Technology and automation play a critical role in combating illegal mining activities by continuously monitoring and controlling site access. Integrated security systems, including CCTV, motion sensors, and video surveillance, help detect unauthorised access in real time. Automation in access control, such as biometric identification and electronic identification chips, ensures that only authorised personnel and vehicles can enter the site. These systems, combined with real-time analytics and automated alerts, significantly improve the ability to prevent and respond to illegal activities.
Takeaway
The security challenges faced by mining companies, particularly in regions like South Africa, require comprehensive and multi-layered strategies. Securing perimeters and deploying security personnel are vital steps in deterring unauthorised access and criminal activity. However, the most effective approach integrates these measures with advanced electronic access control solutions. Systems such as biometric identification, electronic ID chips, and automated vehicle barriers provide robust, reliable control over who and what enters a mining site. By leveraging these electronic solutions, mining companies can significantly reduce the risk of illegal activities, ensuring a safer and more efficient operational environment.
Delve deeper into one of our core topics: Miner Safety
Sources:
(1) Authoritarianism, State Violence, and Vigilantism: Security Challenges Posed by Illegal Miners in South Africa: https://irgac.org/articles/authoritarianism-state-violence-and-vigilantism-security-challenges-posed-by-illegal-miners-in-south-africa/
(2) https://www.africamininginsight.co.za/2023/09/18/how-a-purpose-built-real-time-access-control-solution-bolsters-mining-safety-and-security/
