Rescue Mission Underway for Miners Trapped in South African Gold Mine: Hundreds Still Underground, Many Feared Dead

Department of Research, Studies and International News 15-01-2025

An extensive operation is ongoing to rescue miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa, with reports indicating that over 400 individuals may remain underground. Alarmingly, at least 100 miners are believed to have perished, highlighting the grim realities of illegal mining in the region.

The effort, spearheaded by a professional mine rescue team, is focused on an old gold mine near Stilfontein, located approximately 140 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg. On Monday, a specially designed rescue cage was deployed into the mine shaft to extract the miners.

“The equipment is functioning as planned, and we’ve already brought seven individuals to the surface,” stated Mzukisi Jam, a representative of the South African National Civics Organisation (SANCO), during a press briefing near the site. Additionally, four bodies were recovered, according to local community leader Johannes Qankase.

Disturbing footage has surfaced, providing a harrowing glimpse of the conditions underground. According to Sabelo Mnguni, a spokesperson for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), a mobile phone retrieved from rescued miners contained videos showing numerous bodies wrapped in plastic. This evidence underscores the severity of the situation, with Mnguni estimating that at least 100 men have lost their lives.

The miners are suspected to have succumbed to starvation or dehydration after being trapped for weeks. Reports from MACUA revealed that nine bodies were initially recovered during a community-led rescue on Friday, followed by another nine on Monday during an official operation. Authorities also rescued 26 survivors on the same day.

Efforts to verify the total number of fatalities and survivors continue. Sabata Mokgwabone, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service, confirmed the commencement of a new rescue phase but acknowledged ongoing uncertainty about the exact figures. Authorities are committed to rescuing all survivors and recovering any remaining bodies.

This abandoned mine has been a flashpoint of tension for months. In November, police initiated operations to remove miners and secure the site. However, efforts were hindered by a standoff, as many miners refused to leave, fearing arrest. According to MACUA, the situation was exacerbated when authorities dismantled the ropes and pulley systems that miners had been using to enter and exit the mine, effectively trapping those below.

“The mine shaft is approximately two kilometers (1.2 miles) deep. Without proper equipment, escape is impossible,” explained MACUA representative Magnificent Mndebele.

To facilitate the rescue, the team has constructed a specialized cage capable of descending up to three kilometers (1.8 miles) into the shaft. If all goes as planned, the operation could take up to 16 days to complete.

In a December court ruling, MACUA successfully compelled authorities to allow the delivery of essential supplies—food, water, and medicine—to those trapped underground. This decision brought some relief to the desperate miners, who had been surviving with minimal resources.

Illegal mining, often driven by economic desperation, is a widespread issue in South Africa’s gold-rich regions. When mines are deemed unprofitable and shut down, informal miners, commonly referred to as “zama zamas”—a Zulu term meaning “hustlers”—venture into these abandoned sites in search of residual deposits. These individuals, who often work in hazardous conditions, are sometimes part of larger criminal syndicates.

Groups of illegal miners frequently spend months underground, relying on supplies delivered by others above ground. Despite their resourcefulness, such operations carry significant risks, as evidenced by this tragedy.

MACUA has stressed that the miners trapped in this instance should not be labeled criminals. Mnguni emphasized that many were former mine workers left destitute after the closures of legitimate operations.

“These men are not hardened criminals. They return to the mines out of sheer necessity, driven by poverty and lack of alternatives,” Mnguni stated.

As the rescue mission continues, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by those who resort to illegal mining as a last resort for survival. The coming days will be critical as authorities strive to bring survivors to safety and uncover the full scope of this devastating incident.