Bodies of 7 illegal miners retrieved to date in Stilfontein, say NW officials
An operation to bring hundreds of zama zamas from an abandoned shaft at the old Buffelsfontein mine above ground is still underway.
A crane at the site of an abandoned mine in Stilfontein where a mission to rescue illegal miners is underway. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - North West officials said that the bodies of seven illegal miners had been retrieved to date since the crackdown on illegal mining began in Stilfontein in November.
An operation to bring hundreds of zama zamas from an abandoned shaft at the old Buffelsfontein mine above ground is still underway.
On Wednesday, 15 zama zamas resurfaced using Harmony Gold mine's Margaret Shaft as an exit.
Although Harmony Gold doesn't own the mine occupied by hundreds of illegal miners, the zama zamas have been using the company's shafts as a way out after traveling kilometres underground.
Earlier this week, 11 other illegal miners also resurfaced at the same shaft.
Provincial police spokesperson, Seabata Mokgwabone: "A total of 26 illegal miners resurfaced from underground at Margaret Shaft between Tuesday, 03 and Wednesday, 04 December 2024, as Operation Vala Umgodi continues."
Meanwhile, the third and final step to help the remaining miners re-emerge quicker through the construction of an unmanned cage meant to lift them from underground is yet to get underway.