South African authorities have recovered 36 dead bodies and rescued 82 survivors from an illegal gold mine deep underground. The operation, which began on Monday, has drawn widespread attention due to the perilous conditions faced by the trapped miners, many of whom are victims of illegal mining operations.
The mine, located in Stilfontein, about 150 km from Johannesburg, has been the site of illegal gold extraction for months. South African police began a crackdown on illegal mining at the site in August, cutting off food and water supplies in an effort to force the miners to the surface. The miners, many of whom are immigrants from other African nations, were attempting to extract whatever gold remained in the abandoned mine.
Rescue operations have been challenging, with the use of a metal cage to retrieve bodies and survivors from a mine shaft more than 2 kilometers underground. Authorities have stated that the operation will continue for several days, with regular updates on the number of bodies and survivors.
However, the government’s approach to tackling illegal mining has sparked controversy. Mining Minister Gwede Mantashe has referred to the crackdown as “a war on the economy,” as he estimates that the illicit precious metals trade is worth 60 billion rand ($3.17 billion) annually. Meanwhile, the siege has drawn criticism from human rights groups and local residents, who question the authorities’ handling of the crisis.
The government’s stance has been harsh, with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni saying, “We are not sending help to criminals. We are going to smoke them out.” This rhetoric has angered those sympathetic to the miners, including the family members of those trapped, some of whom have expressed concerns about their loved ones’ fates.
As the search continues, both the human cost of illegal mining and the complex political issues surrounding it remain at the forefront of the public discourse in South Africa.
