NW govt yet to see report on assessments at abandoned Stilfontein mine
More than a week ago Police Minister Senzo Mchunu deployed a task team headed by local government to shut down an illegal mining operation in the area.
A crane at the site of an abandoned mine in Stilfontein where a mission to rescue illegal miners is underway. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
STILFONTEIN - The North West government is yet to get its hands on a report into assessments at an abandoned mine in Stilfontein, as mining experts wrap up phase two of an operation to bring hundreds of illegal miners to the surface.
More than a week ago, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu deployed a task team headed by local government to shut down an illegal mining operation in the area.
At the Buffelsfontein mine, 14 zama zamas were arrested on Sunday night, bringing the tally up to more than 1,400 that have resurfaced in the past month.
During phase two of the ongoing operation to bring hundreds of illegal miners from the old Buffelsfontein gold mine, a camera was deployed down shaft 11 for a number of assessments.
Mining experts hope the camera will shed light on the gases underground and give an indication of the number of illegal miners in the shaft.
MEC for Community Safety in the North West Wessels Morweng was joined by deputy provincial commissioner for policing, Patrick Asaneng, who said the rescue team was still compiling a report.
"As soon as they have made the assessment available, that is when we will know when phase 3, that is the rescue itself, will start."
On Monday, only police were on guard at shaft 11, with rescue teams not there today.
Attention has now turned to the nearby shaft 10 where the zama zamas resurfaced on Sunday night.