Get the Data

GET THE DATA

Oxpeckers is a data-driven journalism (#ddj) organisation, which means that we source, aggregate and analyse data to help track and expose eco-offences across international borders. Our investigative stories use data-driven reporting, animated maps, and other types of data visualisation to augment traditional storytelling methods.

In our efforts to promote transparency and accountability, Oxpeckers shares these datasets with our users and readers.

You can explore and download data sources we use in our stories at

You can explore and download documents we use in our tools and stories at

Some of our investigations have produced large quantities of data that required combining, checking and cleaning, and represent significant amounts of work. These curated datasets, produced as part of various Investigations, are available for users and readers to download, explore and use as they see fit.

Water permit violations

This dataset exposes mines in South Africa that have not complied with water use licence conditions. The data, released by the Department of Water & Sanitation in 2019, was used in the #MineAlert investigation Sweeping water permit violations at mines across SA.

Mines, quarries, agents, and mineral processing plants officially operating in South Africa

This dataset is the National Department of Mineral Resources’ official 2019 list of operating mines, quarries, agents, and mineral processing plants in South Africa.

Mine closure certificates and financial provisions for rehabilitation

This dataset details closure certificates and financial provisions for mine rehabilitation across South Africa. This data, released by provincial and national Department of Minerals offices as a result of Access to Information requests by Oxpeckers journalists, was featured in the #MineAlert investigation Coal mines leave a legacy of ruin.