Rescue operation for trapped miners in South African gold mine underway Mining News

The United Action Group of Communities Affected by Mining said at least 400 men remained trapped in the abandoned mine, with many believed to be dead.

Rescuers have pulled illegal miners and several bodies from an abandoned gold mine in South Africa, where reports say hundreds may be trapped and at least 100 may be dead.

On Monday, a specialist mine rescue company lowered a large cage into the mine near Steelfontein, about 140 kilometers (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg.

“We can confirm to you that the machine is working. It has saved seven people,” Mzukisi Jam of the South African National Civic Organization (SANCO) told reporters at the mine. “

Community leader Johannes Qankase said at least four more bodies had been recovered.

Sabelo Mnguni, spokesman for the Mining Affected Communities United Action Group (MACUA), said some of the rescued miners' mobile phones sent to the surface on Friday had two videos showing dozens of tools underground. A body wrapped in plastic.

Mguni said “at least” 100 men died at the mine when police first launched an operation in November to force miners to halt their illegal operations. Mguni said the miners were suspected to have died of starvation or dehydration.

He said nine bodies were discovered during a community-led operation on Friday. Mguni said authorities found nine more survivors during official rescue operations on Monday, while also rescuing 26 survivors.

Sabata Mokgwabone, a spokesperson for the South African Police Service, said they were still verifying information on how many bodies had been recovered and how many survivors had been brought out after starting a new rescue operation.

Authorities now hope to get any survivors out of the mine.

The mine has been the scene of a standoff between police and miners since authorities first tried to free the miners and seal off the shaft two months ago.

Police said miners were refusing to leave the Buffelsfontein gold mine for fear of being arrested, but MACUA's Mguni said they were trapped underground after police removed the rope and pulley system the miners used to climb in and out of the mine.

“The shaft is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) deep. It's impossible for people to climb up,” said MACUA's Magnificent Mndebele.

South Africa's Sunday Times reported that the company leading the rescue effort has designed a special cage that can be lowered into the mine 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) deep, and if all goes according to plan, the rescue operation will last 16 days.

MACUA won a court case in December ordering police and provincial authorities to allow food, water and medicine to be delivered to the miners.

Illegal mining is common in parts of gold-rich South Africa, where companies have closed mines that are no longer profitable, leading to groups of informal miners illegally entering mines to try to find remaining deposits.

Large groups of illegal miners often work underground for months to maximize profits, taking away food, water, generators and other equipment but also relying on others above ground to deliver more supplies.

Police said they were unsure exactly how many illegal miners remained underground, but said it could be in the hundreds.

South African authorities have long tried to crack down on illegal mining gangs, known as “zama zama” (meaning “crooks” in Zulu), who are known to be violent, often armed and part of a criminal syndicate.

MACUA's Mguni said the group of trapped miners were not criminals but former mine workers who lost their jobs and fell into despair when the mines closed.

“Miners come back to the mines because they live in poverty,” he said.