82 Miners Rescued, 36 Confirmed Dead in South Africa's Mine Crisis
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Synopsis
Rescue operations at an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, have resulted in the extraction of 118 illegal miners, with 36 confirmed dead. Ongoing issues of illegal mining in the region highlight the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis, which has seen many miners trapped underground.
Key Takeaways
- 118 illegal miners were rescued.
- 36 fatalities confirmed.
- Ongoing illegal mining crisis in South Africa.
- Authorities emphasize immediate action required.
- Rescue operations highlight regional challenges.
Johannesburg, Jan 15 (NationPress) During rescue missions at an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, located in South Africa's North West Province, a total of 118 illegal miners have been brought to the surface, with 36 individuals confirmed deceased, as reported by the police.
As the rescue efforts continued into their second day, South African Police Service national spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated, 'As of 4:00 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Tuesday, we have successfully extracted 118 illegal miners.' The first day of operations commenced on Monday, resulting in 35 miners rescued, with nine fatalities confirmed. On the second day, 83 miners were extracted, comprising 56 alive and 27 deceased.
Mathe further mentioned, 'All 82 arrested individuals are facing charges related to illegal mining, trespassing, and violations of the Immigration Act.'
On Tuesday, South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, alongside Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, visited the mine to evaluate the rescue progress. Mantashe condemned the situation in Stilfontein as criminal, labeling it 'an attack by foreigners,' as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The crisis in Stilfontein has persisted for months, with over 1,500 illegal miners surfacing thus far. In late 2024, at least eight bodies were discovered. Many of these miners are believed to originate from neighboring countries.
In December, authorities reported the rescue of 16 illegal miners from an old mine shaft in Sabie, a small town in Mpumalanga Province, eastern South Africa, while they were engaged in illegal mining.
'The surge in illegal mining activities across seven hotspot provinces, including Mpumalanga and North West Province, necessitates an immediate, integrated, and multidisciplinary approach to curb these illicit operations,' emphasized SAPS National Commissioner Sehlahle Fannie Masemola.
The rescue operation in Sabie is distinct from another incident in Stilfontein, where over 1,000 illegal miners have remained underground for weeks.
