Across the world, women engage in mining and many other types of mining-related work, including working as laundresses, cooks or vendors, especially in illicit mining camps (and sometimes under conditions imposed by criminal groups that control the area and/or run the mining operations). Sometimes, they are deceived about the nature of work and working conditions and are instead trafficked into prostitution. In addition to organised sexual exploitation and trafficking in mining camps, illicit mining has been linked to sexual violence towards local women. For example, in August 2022, 12 women were reportedly raped by illegal miners in the Krugersdorp region of South Africa, with over 80 illegal miners arrested by law enforcement in connection with the incident.