The government of South Africa has announced that it will not provide assistance to approximately 4,000 illegal miners trapped within a decommissioned mine in the North West province.
The miners have been denied access to essential supplies as part of a strategic initiative aimed at combating illegal mining activities.
The miners, located in a shaft in Stilfontein, are reportedly facing severe shortages of food, water, and other fundamental necessities.
This is after law enforcement officials sealed off the entrances that were previously used to deliver supplies underground.
This action is part of the police’s Vala Umgodi, or Close the Hole, operation, which aims to cut off the miners’ resources in order to compel them to surface and face arrest.
“Community members are stepping in and demanding to go and rescue these illegal miners themselves,” Athlenda Mathe, a representative of the national police, said.
North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone reported that information obtained from individuals who recently assisted in the rescue of three miners suggests that as many as 4,000 miners may still be trapped underground.
The police have yet to release an official estimate.
In recent weeks, over 1,000 miners have emerged from various mines in the North West province, many of whom have been found to be weak, malnourished, and ill after enduring weeks without essential supplies.
On Thursday, police continued to secure the areas surrounding the mine to apprehend all individuals emerging from underground.
Illegal mining in South Africa
Illegal mining in South Africa, particularly involving “zama zamas,” is a growing issue driven by economic hardship and organized crime.
These miners often operate in abandoned or closed mines, risking their lives in unsafe conditions.
They are frequently armed and engage in violent conflicts over territory.
The illegal mining sector is estimated to cost the economy over R70 billion annually due to lost revenue and taxes.
Efforts to combat this problem include government interventions and the establishment of multi-agency forums aimed at promoting legitimate mining practices.
