Death Toll from Illegal Mine Incident in South Africa Reaches 60
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Rescue operations in South Africa's Buffelsfontein mine have led to the recovery of 51 bodies, raising the death toll to 60. A total of 106 illegal miners were rescued and arrested amidst ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities.
Key Takeaways
- 106 illegal miners rescued and arrested.
- Death toll has risen to 60 with 51 bodies recovered.
- Police operations expected to last 10 days.
- Over 640 kg of gold-bearing material confiscated.
- Government estimates a loss of 60 billion rand due to illegal mining.
Johannesburg, Jan 15 (NationPress) On the second day of rescue efforts at an abandoned gold mine in South Africa, authorities reported that a total of 106 illegal miners and 51 bodies have been recovered, as stated by the police. This brings the total number of fatalities to 60, following the discovery of nine bodies on the first day of operations at the former Buffelsfontein Gold Mine located in Stilfontein, North West Province. Additionally, 26 illegal miners were rescued on that same day.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) indicated in a statement that on the second day of the operations, 106 alive illegal miners were apprehended for illegal mining activities, with 51 confirmed dead.
During a visit to the site on Tuesday, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu noted that rescue operations are expected to last approximately 10 days.
Athlenda Mathe, the national spokesperson for the SAPS, confirmed that those who were rescued have been arrested. The individuals taken into custody on Tuesday included 67 from Mozambique, 26 from Lesotho, and 11 from Zimbabwe, along with two South African citizens.
Mathe further revealed that police have seized various materials, including over 640 kg of gold-bearing substances and 6.2 kg of refined gold, along with explosives, firearms, and cash totaling 52.49 million rand (approximately 2.78 million US dollars) from illegal miners since the crackdown on illegal mining began in December 2023.
The situation at the abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein has been unfolding since August 2024, when small groups of illegal miners started to emerge. Since then, more than 1,576 illegal miners have surfaced and been arrested, most of whom are foreign nationals from adjacent countries, as per the police statement.
Mathe stated, 1,540 illegal miners are currently in police custody, with 121 already deported, including 80 Mozambicans, 30 Basotho nationals, 10 Zimbabweans, and one Malawian, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
Additionally, 46 individuals have been convicted of illegal mining, trespassing, and violating immigration laws, receiving sentences of 12,000 rand or a six-month fully suspended prison term for five years, under the condition that they do not commit similar offenses.
Numerous gold mines have been abandoned over the years due to reduced production, leading to their takeover by illegal foreign miners seeking gold.
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, who also assessed the progress of the rescue operations at the Buffelsfontein mine on Tuesday, emphasized the considerable economic repercussions of illegal mining, estimating a loss of 60 billion rand in 2024.
He remarked, “It is a criminal activity. It is an attack on our economy predominantly by foreign nationals.”
