Mine Rescue Services set to begin operations at Stilfontein
The High Court in Pretoria heard on Friday that the government will commence operations to rescue miners at a disused North West mine.
An unknown number of suspected illegal miners remain underground at the Buffelsfontein gold mine.
This latest court bid, aimed at compelling the government to extract the miners and provide humanitarian assistance, follows a letter, purportedly sent up by trapped miners from shaft 11 at the mine, which states that more than 100 people had died.
The police’s Vala Umgodi anti-illicit mining operation drew attention in November, when the miners started resurfacing from the abandoned shafts, after officers barred the delivery of food and other supplies, reportedly since August 2024.
The application was brought by Lawyers for Human Rights on behalf of Zinzi Tom, whose brother Ayanda Tom is among those still underground, and other affected parties.
“The court has ordered the state to finalise and send a service level agreement and letter of appointment to the Mine Rescue Services, and ensure that the agreement is signed today, “ said the spokesperson for the Mining Affected Communities United in Action’s Magnificent Mndebele.
According to reports, the Minerals Council would foot the bill for the operation, which has been estimated to cost nearly R1 million a day.
“The court has also mandated the uninterrupted delivery of food, water, and medical aid to the trapped miners over the weekend, with Judge Tolmay imploring all stakeholders to act decisively to prevent further loss of life,” Mndebele added.
A previous court order allowed the police to place curfews for the community-led operation to deliver supplies to the miners.
At least 1,500 suspected illegal miners have resurfaced from various shafts around the mine. At least a dozen dead bodies have been retrieved by volunteers; the latest was brought up to the surface on Thursday.
The South African Police Service has previously said it lacked the money to fund the rescue operation, adding that it was in consultation with other government departments to secure the funds.
It’s unclear when the MRS rescue operation will begin, however, MACUA says rescuers are on standby to begin immediately once payment has been made.
