Tue Jan 14 01:42:17 UTC 2025: **Hundreds Feared Dead in South Africa Mine Rescue Operation**
Stilfontein, South Africa – A desperate rescue operation is underway at an abandoned gold mine near Stilfontein, South Africa, where hundreds of illegal miners are believed to be trapped, with at least 100 feared dead. Authorities have confirmed the recovery of at least 13 bodies and 26 survivors since Monday, but the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) group claims that at least 400 men remain underground, many perished due to starvation and dehydration.
The mine, Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, has been the site of a tense standoff for two months. Police initially attempted to remove the illegal miners in November, but the miners refused to leave, fearing arrest. MACUA alleges that the police’s removal of the miners’ access ropes and pulley system left them trapped 2km below the surface.
A professional mine rescue company has deployed a specialized cage capable of reaching depths of 3km. The operation, which is expected to last 16 days, is hampered by the mine’s hazardous conditions and the large number of potential casualties. Videos retrieved from a mobile phone sent to the surface show numerous bodies, bolstering MACUA’s grim assessment.
While police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone confirms ongoing rescue efforts and is verifying the number of casualties and survivors, MACUA spokesperson Sabelo Mnguni paints a bleak picture, stating that a minimum of 100 miners have already died. Mnguni emphasizes that these miners were not hardened criminals, but former employees driven to illegal mining by poverty after their mines closed.
Illegal mining is a persistent problem in South Africa, where abandoned mines attract “zama zamas” – informal miners seeking leftover gold deposits. These groups often operate for extended periods underground, bringing their own supplies but facing risks of starvation and accidents. The government continues its efforts to combat this dangerous and often violent practice. The current situation underscores the severe human cost of this ongoing crisis.
First Piper 