Rescue operations at a disused gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, have revealed a growing death toll, with 78 bodies recovered as of Wednesday. Police are working to evacuate illegal miners, known locally as “zama zamas”, from the mine, which has been occupied for months.
Ongoing Rescue and Arrests
Authorities began the operation on Monday after residents raised concerns that over 100 miners might have died in the abandoned mine shaft, located approximately 140 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.
In three days of rescue efforts, 216 miners have been brought out alive, while 78 bodies were retrieved, according to a police statement. On Wednesday alone, 84 miners were rescued and subsequently arrested.
The mine shaft, which extends 2.6 kilometers underground, has required the use of specialized machinery to extract both survivors and bodies in small groups.
The Zama Zamas’ Struggle
The miners, many of whom are migrants from neighboring countries, entered the disused shaft illegally, hoping to find remnants of gold in South Africa’s once-thriving mining industry. However, they are often accused of engaging in criminal activities, deepening tensions with local residents.
A video obtained by AFP on Monday from the advocacy group Macua appeared to show dozens of corpses wrapped in cloth within the mine’s chambers, underscoring the grim reality underground.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who visited the site on Tuesday, refrained from speculating on the number of miners still underground. “Every number that we have here is an estimate, is a guess,” he stated.
Government Response
Minerals Minister Gwede Mantashe criticized the illegal mining network, labeling the miners as mere “foot soldiers” for those who profit from the illicit trade.
Since August, authorities have arrested more than 1,500 illegal miners at Stilfontein. Among them, 121 individuals have been deported, while 46 others have been convicted of offenses including illegal mining, trespassing, and immigration violations. Convicted miners face fines or imprisonment.
Efforts to cut off food and water supplies to the illegal miners were halted by a court order in November, allowing surface supporters to continue lowering provisions to those underground.
A Tragic Industry
South Africa’s illegal mining sector has drawn attention for its dangers and exploitation. The Stilfontein incident highlights the desperate conditions that drive miners underground and the deadly risks they face.
Rescue operations continue, but with fears that hundreds more may still be underground, the full extent of this tragedy remains uncertain.
