Mining in South Africa has for decades been considered a flywheel of the economy, and it remains a major contributor to the economy today. However, the sector continues to face hurdles and has deteriorated over the years. The current challenge that the sector faces is illegal mining, which has always costed the South African government millions a year. Illegal miners are called "zama zama" ("take a chance" in Zulu) and operate in abandoned mines in the mineral-rich country.