Operation to retrieve illegal Stilfontein miners off to good start - Mine rescue experts

JOHANNESBURG - Mine rescue experts said that the operation to retrieve hundreds of illegal miners from an abandoned shaft in Stilfontein was off to a good start.

The final phase of the operation kicked off on Monday following a two-month delay.

The rescue mission is expected to fast track efforts to shut down an illicit mining network operating in the area that’s part of syndicates bleeding the economy of billions of rands a year.

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Nine trips have been made so far on Tuesday, bringing up 55 illegal miners still alive and more than 30 dead bodies.

The cage sent down the shaft to bring illegal miners up to the surface has three cameras.

This includes one to help the technical team navigate the shaft and another to monitor the illegal miners and their condition as they're hoisted up.

CEO of Mine Rescue Services, Mannas Fourie, said that barring a few technical challenges, the operation was on track.

"We did face some challenges yesterday in the beginning but they are normal operational challenges in setting up our machines and equipment."

Officials are giving it ten days before reviewing where they are with the operation and deciding on a way forward.