South Africa is racing to rescue over 400 miners trapped underground for two months in a disused gold mine. The miners, known locally as “zama zamas,” were left stranded after a police raid in November aimed at cracking down on illegal mining operations.
Footage obtained by miners’ rights group MACUA shows emaciated men pleading for help, with dozens of bodies wrapped in plastic sacks at the mine’s base. The Buffelsfontein mine, located near Stilfontein, about 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Johannesburg, has become the site of a grim humanitarian crisis.
“It’s impossible for people to climb out; the shaft is two kilometers deep,” said Magnificent Mndebele, Head of Communication and Media, MACUA. The pulley system, once the miners’ lifeline for food and supplies, was destroyed during the standoff.
109 Dead, Hundreds Still Trapped
Reports indicate that at least 109 miners have already died underground. The South African government confirmed bodies have been retrieved but declined to provide further details ahead of an official report.
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Makhosonke Buthelezi, spokesperson for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, stated, “Mine rescue services are on-site, and machinery is being prepared for the rescue.”
The mission gained momentum after the sister of a trapped miner filed a court case, demanding immediate action. Her plea follows letters sent by miners who emerged from the mine last week, highlighting the dire conditions below.
Illegal Mining Epidemic
Illegal mining has surged in South Africa, with an estimated 30,000 “zama zama” miners operating in abandoned mines. Together, they contribute up to 10% of the nation’s gold output, according to industry analysts. However, these operations come at a high human cost.
Families of the trapped miners have been staging protests, demanding accountability and swift rescue efforts. “We just want our loved ones back, alive or not,” said a tearful relative at the site.
A Race Against Time
Community members initially restored the pulley system last week, allowing supplies to reach some miners. However, the government has now replaced it with machinery from professional rescue teams.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure their safe recovery,” Buthelezi added.
The crisis at Buffelsfontein highlights the human toll of South Africa’s illegal mining epidemic, with families, communities, and authorities grappling with its devastating consequences.
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