No illegal miners are believed to remain trapped underground at a South African gold mine, according to rescue volunteers. The operation has seen the recovery of at least 78 bodies and over 200 survivors since Monday, following a court mandate for the government to facilitate rescue efforts at this notorious site.
Authorities plan to conduct a thorough inspection on Thursday, deploying a rescue cage to confirm that all miners have surfaced. The crisis escalated in November when the government initiated a crackdown on illegal miners, instructing police to apprehend anyone emerging from the site.
During a recent visit by police and mining officials, an irate crowd confronted them, blaming the government for the fatalities linked to illegal mining operations. Reports indicate that over 1,500 miners resurfaced before the official rescue commenced. Many, however, remain underground due to fears of arrest or coercion by criminal gangs that dominate these abandoned mines.
A spokesperson for the South African Police Service acknowledged volunteers’ claims that no miners were still underground but emphasized reliance on advanced equipment from the Mine Rescue Service for verification. The service plans to send the rescue cage underground to reach miners believed to be at depths of at least 2 kilometers.
The dire conditions faced by the remaining miners, who have been without food and water since November, have led to serious health concerns. Survivors are now receiving essential medical care.
Authorities have stated that those rescued will face charges for illegal mining, trespassing, and violating immigration laws, as many of the miners are undocumented migrants. Mines Minister Gwede Mantashe condemned illegal mining as a significant threat to the nation’s economy, stressing the urgent need for effective enforcement.
With South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeding 30%, former miners assert they are left with few alternatives for legitimate income, as many mines have been abandoned due to declining profitability over recent decades.
