{
  "id": 6392767,
  "title": "Informal gold miners risk their health to put food on the table",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/informal-gold-miners-risk-their-health-to-put-food-on-the-table",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-09T06:10:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Health-e News",
    "slug": "health-e-news",
    "url": "https://health-e.org.za/2026/09/09/informal-gold-miners-risk-their-health-to-put-food-on-the-table/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Informal gold miners toil in hazardous conditions to provide for their families in South Africa. With no alternative employment, many turn to illegal mining around old mine dumps, risking exposure to mine dust, mercury and other chemicals. Thabo, a 48-year-old informal miner, spends his nights digging for gold, using sewage water to wash his material and breathe in mine dust. Despite contracting tuberculosis in 2025, Thabo continues working due to financial necessity. Mercury, a toxic substance, is commonly used by informal miners to recover gold, as it is a cheap and quick method. However, this process exposes miners to mercury vapors, which can cause respiratory and neurological issues. Katleho, a 27-year-old informal miner, contracted mercury poisoning and suffered burns and a rash while working with chemicals. The lack of proper occupational health and safety protections for informal miners puts them at significant risk of health complications, making their plight a pressing issue in South Africa.",
  "summary": "Health-e News Informal gold miners risk their health to put food on the table Informal gold miners working around old mine dumps between Nyakallong and Allanridge in the Free State say they risk exposure to mine dust, mercury and other chemicals while trying to earn enough money to support their families. At 48, Thabo* spends most nights digging for gold around old mine rock dumps between…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "AllAfrica Health",
        "title": "South Africa: Informal Gold Miners Risk Their Health to Put Food On the Table",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/south-africa-informal-gold-miners-risk-their-health-to-put-food-on",
        "published": "2026-09-09T07:11:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}