By Nakiwala Barbra
Volunteers assisting with the rescue mission at a South African gold mine have confirmed that no more illegal miners are believed to be trapped underground.
This follows the successful retrieval of over 200 survivors and at least 78 bodies since the operation began on Monday, marking the conclusion of a tragedy that has captured national attention.
The operation was initiated after a court order mandated the government to facilitate the rescue of miners from the site, which has become notorious for illegal mining. A final check will take place Thursday when a rescue cage is sent down the mine one last time to ensure that no one remains trapped below.
The tensions surrounding the operation stem from an ongoing stand-off that began in November when the government ordered the arrest of any miner who surfaced, aiming to clamp down on illegal mining. The response from the miners, however, has been one of anger, with an irate crowd confronting the police and mines ministers during a visit on Tuesday, blaming the government for the lives lost.
Prior to the operation, more than 1,500 miners had surfaced, many of whom feared arrest. However, others remained underground, either due to threats from criminal gangs that control the mine or because they were too frightened to come forward. Volunteers have played an essential role in bringing the survivors to safety and providing them with vital medical care.
Authorities have expressed caution in confirming that the operation is complete, noting that they will rely on advanced equipment from the Mine Rescue Service to verify the status of the mine. The final confirmation of no remaining miners underground is expected to be made when the cage is lowered to complete one last check.
While the rescue operation is ending, the larger issue of illegal mining in South Africa remains unresolved. Miners, many of whom are undocumented migrants, continue to risk their lives in search of income in the country’s perilous mining industry.
Addressing the root causes of illegal mining—such as poverty, unemployment, and gang violence—will be crucial in preventing future tragedies in the sector.
