Mixed reactions as mine rescue team arrives to retrieve zama zamas at abandoned mine in Stilfontein | News24Picture courtesy: Morapedi Mashashe/Daily Sun
(The Post News)- The first phase of a targeted operation to dismantle and retrieve illegal miners known as zama zamas and to dismantle illegal mining activities that have persisted for years officially began on Tuesday, November 19. The operation Led by North West Community Safety MEC Wessels Morweng, the task team has been working to secure the site and prepare for the retrieval of miners who remain underground.
The SABC reported that yesterday the mine rescue team assessed the shaft to determine the necessary equipment for safe retrieval. A grader was deployed to clear rubble at the mine entrance, paving the way for the next stages of the operation. The team aims to ensure that the site is stable before commencing the official retrieval process in the coming days.
The abandoned mine shaft has been operational for years, a hub for gold extraction by zama zamas, who sell their finds on the black market, where some miners earn about R10,000 and R30,00 depending on the gold yield and their time spent underground, according to a report by The Citizen. One miner told The Citizen there are approximately 800 miners on one level, with many more scattered across the mine’s depths. Some miners reportedly earn between R10,000 and R30,000 per stint, depending.
Additionally, Eye Witness News reported that an illegal miner, who had previously surfaced from the mine, was sent back underground as a communicator between the technical team and those still below. Community leader Thembile Bortman explained that the miner has to tell the rest of the miner that they must be patient and not panic. They understand that after five to six days, the cage will remain, and they must climb into it and allow the state to save them.
Advocate Lufuno Nevondwe, a constitutional law expert, highlighted the importance of upholding human rights, even in cases of criminal activity. Nevondwe said that just like everyone else, illegal miners also have the right to life. “The government must ensure that miners come out alive to face the law,” Nevondwe told SABC News.
The retrieval operation in Stilfontein is expected to last several days. Officials aim to secure the site, bring miners to the surface, and shut down the illegal operation. The scale of the effort reflects the broader challenge of addressing illegal mining in South Africa, where abandoned mines serve as a lifeline for many but pose significant risks to both miners and the environment.
As the situation unfolds, the government faces the task of balancing law enforcement with humanitarian concerns. For the miners underground, the stakes remain high—not only for their freedom but also for their survival.
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