In a rescue effort on Tuesday, January 14, emergency teams deployed a cage-like structure deep into one of South Africa’s abandoned gold mines to save survivors among hundreds of illegal miners trapped for months.
The Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, near Stilfontein, southwest of Johannesburg, has become a grim scene, with more than 100 miners believed to have died from starvation or dehydration.
Civic organizations report that since Friday, 24 bodies and 34 survivors have been retrieved from the mine. However, estimates suggest over 500 miners remain underground, many suffering from severe hunger and illness. Police have acknowledged the uncertainty in their numbers but agree that hundreds are likely still trapped.
The situation has been tense since November 2024, when authorities initiated an operation to evict the miners. Relatives claim some have been underground since July. While officials argue the miners can exit freely but refuse to do so, rights groups vehemently dispute this, accusing the police of employing harsh tactics by cutting off food and water supplies to force the miners out.
Mzukisi Jam, regional chairperson of the South African National Civics Organization, expressed mixed feelings about the ongoing rescue efforts. “We are happy that this (rescue) operation is happening, even though we believe that if it was done earlier, we wouldn’t even have one dead person,” he said.
Illegal Mining and Its Risks
Illegal mining is prevalent in South Africa’s gold-rich regions, where decommissioned mines lure informal miners seeking leftover deposits. These miners often descend into the depths for extended periods, equipped with food, water, generators, and other supplies, relying on support from their comrades on the surface.
Reports indicate that some miners have managed to escape since the police operation began in November, though the exact number remains unclear. Police assert that fear of arrest prevents many from surfacing, a claim supported by the miners’ advocates who highlight the treacherous alternative routes available.
Residents have gathered anxiously near the mine, hoping for updates on their loved ones. Community members initiated their own rescue attempts last Friday, prior to the official efforts. Zinzi Tom, whose brother is still trapped, shared her distress.
“The last time I spoke to my brother was in July when he told us that he is going underground. We had not heard anything from him, but yesterday one of the miners who surfaced said he saw him about two weeks ago. Apparently, he is very sick and struggling to survive.”
Zinzi Tom
The group Mining Affected Communities United in Action, which previously sued authorities to allow the delivery of essential supplies to the miners, released disturbing cellphone footage purportedly from within the mine. The videos depict scenes of suffering and death, with one showing dozens of bodies wrapped in plastic. A spokesperson confirmed that “a minimum” of 100 miners had perished.
In one video, a man can be heard lamenting, “This is hunger. People are dying because of hunger,” as he films emaciated men on the damp mine floor. He pleads, “Please help us. Bring us food or take us out.”
South Africa’s government faces mounting criticism over its handling of the crisis. Police Minister Bheki Cele and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe were scheduled to visit the site, as public outrage over the authorities’ approach continues to grow.
Previously, Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni justified the government’s stance, labeling the trapped miners as “criminals” and stating, “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out. They will come out.”
The tragedy at Buffelsfontein Gold Mine has spotlighted the dangers of illegal mining and raised questions about the ethical responsibilities of authorities in such crises. As the rescue mission continues, the fate of the remaining miners remains uncertain.
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