The story of South African mining is not solely one of grandeur and prosperity. It is also a narrative stained by exploitation, social inequalities, and the systemic marginalization of workers, mainly Black South Africans and migrant workers from other parts of Africa. The early mining ventures, driven by the desire for wealth and economic prosperity, laid the groundwork for establishing formal mining industries. These industries, often characterized by capital-intensive and mechanized operations, significantly shaped the nation’s economy. The historical legacies of racial segregation, pre-apartheid era policies, and the migrant labor system cast long shadows over the mining sector that created deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities. While masquerading as a tool for economic expansion, the migrant labor system created the perfect breeding ground for South Africa’s apartheid system. South Africa’s formal mining sector was built on migrant labor, and immigrants were lured to the country when it served the state and formal mining industry. This chapter examines the historical complexities that have shaped Zama Zama mining in South Africa today, with the migrant labor system standing out as a significant factor in its evolution.