Stilfontein Rescue Operation Of Illegal Miners Begins

The government rescue operation of illegal miners at Stilfontein in the North West province has officially started. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has made available R12 million for the operation. This is pending the ruling of the Constitutional Court on whether the responsibility lies with the government or the owners of the disused mine, Buffelsfontein Gold.

By mid-afternoon, the first seven illegal miners were brought to the surface by the rescue team.

The rescue effort initially started by the community in October last year to retrieve illegal miners from underground has officially been taken over by the government.

The community managed to retrieve 35 illegal miners and 10 bodies while, a total of 1 570 illegal miners have resurfaced at Margaret shaft and shaft 10 in Stilfontein.

The NGO, Mining Affected Communities United in Action MACUA and community leaders blame the government for the deaths of what they say, are of over 100 illegal miners.