The South African government has initiated a rescue mission for hundreds of miners trapped in an illegal mine, with no access to food, water, or medicine.
The miners’ activities led South African police to block any passage allowing them access to food and water in late 2024. The measure, intended to force the miners out, ultimately failed.
Reports indicate that South Africa’s decision to launch the rescue mission began on Friday after the sister of one of the trapped miners filed a court case. This followed letters from miners who were brought to the surface on Thursday.
One letter claims that at least 109 people have already died at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, near Stilfontein, about 100 miles southwest of Johannesburg.
Illegal mining in South Africa has surged in recent years, depleting many industrial mines. Analysts estimate that around 30,000 “zama zama” miners are working in abandoned mines, contributing up to 10% of the country’s gold output.