South African Mine Rescue: Dozens of Dead and Survivors Retrieved, Hundreds Still Trapped

Following months of severed supplies to miners illegally working in an abandoned gold mine, rescue efforts on Tuesday recovered dozens of deceased miners and severely malnourished survivors. Hundreds more remain trapped underground, many feared dead, while others are too weak for self-evacuation.

Since Monday, at least 60 bodies and 92 survivors have been retrieved from one of South Africa’s deepest mines using a specialized lifting device. Police estimate that hundreds more miners are still underground. An additional nine bodies were recovered Friday through a community-led rescue attempt, according to a miners’ representative group.

The mine has been the site of a tense standoff involving police, miners, and local residents since November, when authorities initiated an operation to remove the miners by cutting off their access to food and water. At the time, a government minister stated their intention was to force the miners out and that no assistance would be provided due to their criminal activity.

This strategy has faced strong criticism from community groups and has drawn scrutiny of the South African government’s handling of the situation at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, where over 100 miners are believed to have perished from starvation or dehydration, according to the miners’ representative group.

Authorities, having removed the miners’ access equipment, claim the survivors are capable of leaving but are refusing due to fear of arrest. This assertion is contested by civic groups, who successfully challenged the government in court to allow the provision of food, water, and medicine. However, they argue that these provisions are insufficient, and many miners are dying of starvation and are physically unable to climb out due to the shaft’s steepness.

On Tuesday, residents anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones gathered near the mine in Stilfontein, southwest of Johannesburg, with some displaying signs criticizing the authorities’ response. One sign referred to a “Sacrifice at Stilfontein,” while police escorted handcuffed survivors away.

Prior to the official rescue operation commencing on Monday, a community-led rescue effort took place on Friday. They contend that a proper rescue operation should have been launched months earlier.

“We welcome this operation, although we believe a timely intervention would have prevented any loss of life,” stated Mzukisi Jam, regional chairperson of the South African National Civics Organization.

Authorities have long struggled with the issue of informal mining.

Illegal mining is prevalent in parts of South Africa’s gold-rich regions where defunct mines are left accessible, attracting groups of informal miners seeking remaining ore deposits.

Large groups often work underground for extended periods to maximize profits, bringing supplies like food, water, and generators, yet also relying on surface support for additional provisions.

visited the site Tuesday and reported over 1,500 miners who have emerged from the Buffelsfontein mine have been arrested since the crackdown on illegal mining in late 2023. He noted that most were foreign nationals from neighboring countries.

Police maintain their assertion that the remaining underground miners are avoiding emergence due to fear of arrest.

Activists explain that the only escape route involves a perilous journey to another shaft, potentially lasting days, and a difficult climb to the surface, a task beyond the capacity of many weak or sick miners. The mine’s depth is 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) with multiple shafts, levels, and a complex network of tunnels. The miners’ representative group reports that numerous groups are scattered throughout the mine.

“The last contact I had with my brother was in July, when he mentioned going underground,” said Zinzi Tom, whose brother remains underground. “We had no further news until yesterday, when a rescued miner reported seeing him two weeks ago. He’s apparently very sick and struggling to survive.”

Cellphone videos from underground have emerged.

The Mining Affected Communities United in Action group, which successfully petitioned the court in December to allow supply delivery, released two cellphone videos allegedly recorded underground showing numerous deceased miners wrapped in plastic. A group spokesman stated that “a minimum” of 100 miners had died.

The videos, purportedly from deep within the mine, feature a man recording emaciated men sitting on the damp mine floor, stating, “This is hunger. People are dying because of hunger,” and pleading, “Please help us. Bring us food or take us out.”

The rescue operation is planned to last 10 days, with authorities reassessing afterward, according to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Police have also stated that rescued survivors will face arrest and charges of illegal mining and trespassing after receiving medical care.

The government’s approach was made clear by South African Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni in November when she stated that the government would not assist the miners, whom they consider criminals.

“We are not sending help to criminals,” she said. “We are going to smoke them out. They will come out.”

She added: “Criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted.”