Stilfontein Illegal Mine Rescue: 152 Miners Retrieved, 60 Dead

The ongoing rescue operation at Shaft 11 of the abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein, North West, has so far recovered 152 illegal miners, with 60 confirmed dead. The rescue mission, which began on Monday, is being led by government officials and Mines Rescue Services (MRS).

Rescue Efforts and Numbers

By Tuesday evening, authorities had extracted 152 individuals, of which 92 were alive and subsequently arrested. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that all surviving miners face charges including illegal mining, trespassing, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

Additionally, two of those arrested were found in possession of gold-bearing material and face further charges for illegal possession of gold.

• Day 1 (Monday): 35 miners retrieved, 9 confirmed dead.
• Day 2 (Tuesday): 117 miners retrieved, 51 confirmed dead.

The operation has revealed grim estimates: approximately 550 illegal miners are believed to be underground, with 109 more bodies expected to be recovered.

The government estimates that the rescue mission will cost R12 million. Mines Rescue Services (MRS) CEO Mannas Fourie highlighted the grueling schedule, with shifts running from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. A mobile rescue winder has been deployed to lower cages underground to extract individuals.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe visited the site to oversee the rescue efforts and address the media. Mchunu stated that the causes of death are not yet confirmed, pending post-mortem results from forensic pathology teams.

Tensions ran high at the rescue site as community members from nearby Khuma, Stilfontein, demanded answers. The situation escalated into chaotic scenes when the ministers attempted to address the crowd stationed near Shaft 11.

Illegal mining, or “zama zama” operations, continues to be a pressing issue in South Africa. These activities often take place in abandoned mines, posing significant risks to both miners and rescue personnel. The Stilfontein incident highlights the dire need for government intervention in curbing these dangerous practices.

Authorities have committed to daily updates as the rescue operation continues. The government’s priority is to retrieve all remaining individuals and establish accountability for the illegal activities.

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