Rescuers Recover 36 Bodies, 82 Survivors from South African Gold Mine
Hundreds more remain trapped underground, as government crackdown on illegal mining continues.
Rescuers in South Africa have recovered 36 bodies and brought 82 survivors to the surface in a two-day operation at a gold mine in Stilfontein, approximately 150km (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg. Authorities confirmed that those rescued would face charges related to illegal mining and immigration violations.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts Amid Crackdown
The operation began after police recovered nine bodies on Monday, followed by 27 more on Tuesday, according to police Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. Efforts to reach additional survivors and retrieve more bodies from the mine, which extends over 2km (1.2 miles) underground, will continue for several days, with police providing daily updates.
Hundreds more miners remain trapped below the surface, with a miners’ rights group releasing footage on Monday showing skeletal survivors and deceased individuals inside the mine.
Authorities have been monitoring the site since August, when police sealed off access to food and water to force illegal miners to surrender as part of a broader effort to combat unlawful mining operations.
Illegal Mining and Economic Impact
Illegal mining in South Africa typically occurs in abandoned or disused mines, where unlicensed miners, often migrants from other African nations, extract remaining precious metals.
The South African government has justified its crackdown, with Mining Minister Gwede Mantashe describing illegal mining as “a war on the economy.” He estimated that illicit precious metals trade was worth approximately 60 billion rand ($3.17bn) last year.
In November, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated, “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out.” However, a court ruling in December allowed volunteers to send supplies to the trapped miners, and another ruling last week mandated the state to initiate a rescue operation, which began on Monday.
Legal Consequences for Survivors
Authorities confirmed that all 82 survivors rescued so far will face charges, including illegal mining, trespassing, and immigration violations. Two individuals were also charged with possession of gold.
The government’s crackdown, known as “Vala Umgodi” or “Close the Hole” in isiZulu, has sparked criticism from human rights organizations and local communities, who argue that the state’s approach has worsened the humanitarian crisis underground.
Rescue operations remain ongoing as officials work to bring more miners to the surface while enforcing strict legal measures against illegal mining activities.