Key Takeaways:

• Authorities have initiated rescue operations at an illegal gold mine in South Africa, fearing many bodies are buried underground.
• Since the operations began, 15 bodies have been recovered, and 44 individuals have been rescued alive.
• Activists claim hundreds of miners remain trapped underground following a food and supply blockade by police.
• The situation has drawn attention to the growing issue of illegal mining, with around 30,000 “zama zama” miners active in the region.

The South African government has launched urgent rescue operations at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, where authorities fear that hundreds may be trapped underground after facing extreme conditions due to a blockade of essential supplies initiated last year. Since the operation commenced, as reported by The Guardian, 15 bodies have been recovered and 44 individuals have emerged alive from the depths of the illegal mine.

This operation comes on the heels of disturbing claims made by miners and activists, with letters from underground stating that as many as 109 people may have died due to starvation and harsh conditions in the 1.2-mile deep shafts. A harrowing video released by the NGO Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) displayed over 50 wrapped bodies within the tunnels, stirring outrage over the plight of the miners still trapped underground. The organization estimates between 400 and 800 miners may still be alive but are unable to escape due to the panic caused by the blockade and fears of arrest.

Authorities first implemented the blockade as part of Operation Vala Umgodi, aimed at combating illegal mining in late 2023. Police stated that this was designed to force miners out of the shaft; however, the humanitarian crisis that has followed has raised serious questions concerning the safety and treatment of these workers. There are concerns that miners are more likely hiding due to fear of arrest than being truly trapped. Activists argue that the two nearby mines are not interconnected.

Jessica Lawrence from Macua has articulated the plight of those still stranded, stating, “We have seen video evidence of extreme hunger and desperation,” referring to emaciated men pleading for food. In addition, eyewitness accounts reveal that miners resorted to consuming whatever was available, with some claiming to have eaten dead bodies while others were forced to eat insects to survive.

The operation to rescue the miners is being facilitated by Mines Rescue Services, utilizing a crane-winched cage capable of extracting six individuals per hour. According to company estimates, the entire operation may extend up to 16 days. Local volunteers have actively participated, though fears about the armed “zama zama” miners complicate the rescue efforts, as many of the miners emerge with accusations of being held against their will. According to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, ongoing investigations are challenging but necessary, emphasizing that “no one should have been underground.”

This troubling saga of illegal mining in South Africa, where about 30,000 zama zama miners are said to operate within 6,000 abandoned mineshafts, exposes the dark underbelly of the nation’s gold mining industry, often marked by violence and criminal syndicates. As authorities grapple with the crisis at Buffelsfontein, the human costs of illegal mining continue to ripple through the surrounding communities. For additional details, visit the original articles from The Guardian.