South Africa Launches Rescue Mission for Trapped Illegal Miners

The South African government has initiated a rescue mission to save potentially hundreds of miners trapped in an illegal mining site. Authorities had previously blocked access to food, water, and medicine last year to force the miners out.

The operation commenced on Friday following a court case filed by the sister of one trapped miner. This move came in response to letters reportedly received from underground miners, highlighting the dire situation.

One miner is believed to have died at the Buffelsfontein gold mine near Stilfontein, located about 100 miles southwest of Johannesburg.

Illegal mining has surged in South Africa due to the decline of many industrial mines. Analysts estimate that approximately 30,000 “zama zama” miners operate in abandoned sites, contributing up to 10% of the nation’s gold production.