Mine rescue ends: 'No signs of life underground'

The process of sending a cage down the shaft on monday signalled the beginning of the end of the intense and special government led operation. by the third day, volunteers who had gone on a number of trips with the cage told authorities the last of the zama zamas were out. On Thursday, cameras were lowered 1,000 metres of the 2.6km deep shaft to scan for signs of life. No movement was seen on camera and no sound was detected.

• Stilfontein
• Zama zama
• Illegal mining

Picture: EWN