Stilfontein rescue mission winds down but Operation Vala Umgodi to continue
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.
Rescuers cross the caution tape near a Metalliferous Mobile Rescue Winder during a rescue operation to retrieve illegal miners from an abandoned gold shaft in Stilfontein on 13 January 2025. Picture: Christian Velcich/AFP
STILFONTEIN - After two months of an extensive and complex operation, the third and final phase to retrieve thousands of illegal miners at an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein is now winding down.
In November 2024, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu appointed a task team to shut down an illicit mining network at the old Buffelsfontein gold mine.
The area in Stilfontein was believed to be one of the epicentres of the black-market trade for gold, partly responsible for bleeding the economy of billions of rands a year.
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A cage was sent down the mine shaft at the beginning of the week to bring up the remaining illegal miners.
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 several 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.
The camera was lowered to the water level at 2,100 metres where another scan was done.
While the mining experts have packed up, acting police commissioner in the North West, Patrick Asaneng, said the initial Operation Vala Umgodi continues.
"Those members who are deployed for Operation Vala Umgodi will continue to be onsite, not only at shaft 11 but at all the mining areas where illegal mining is taking place."
A full report by the technical teams is yet to be given to the police and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.