Rescue Operations in Stilfontein Gold Mine Begin
Efforts to save miners trapped in an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, continue amid fears of mass casualties.
On January 13, authorities launched an official operation using a specially designed cage capable of descending up to three kilometers into the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, located approximately 140 kilometers southwest of Johannesburg.
Seven miners were successfully rescued during the operation, while at least four bodies were recovered, according to community leader Johannes Qankase. 
Reports of Mass Deaths Add Urgency
Sabelo Mnguni, representing the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), revealed disturbing evidence of dozens of bodies underground.
Videos retrieved from a phone sent to the surface by rescued miners reportedly show bodies wrapped in plastic, with Mnguni estimating that at least 100 individuals died from starvation or dehydration.
Nine bodies were initially recovered in a community-led effort, and another nine were brought up in the subsequent official rescue operation. Authorities have so far rescued 26 survivors.
Challenges in Rescue and the Risks of Illegal Mining
The tragedy highlights the risks associated with illegal mining in South Africa, where abandoned gold mines attract miners searching for leftover deposits. The Stilfontein mine had been the focus of a police operation in November, intended to shut down illegal activities.
The miners, however, remained underground, fearing arrest. MACUA alleged that police worsened the situation by removing ropes and pulley systems, trapping the miners in a shaft over two kilometers deep.
Efforts to aid those underground were complicated by legal battles. A December court ruling forced authorities to allow food, water, and medicine to be sent down to the miners. Despite this, the rescue mission is expected to last 16 days as authorities work to retrieve both survivors and the deceased.
The incident underscores the challenges of addressing illegal mining in gold-rich South Africa, where abandoned mines remain hazardous yet irresistible to informal miners. The Buffelsfontein tragedy has prompted calls for better regulation, safety measures, and accountability in managing the nation’s mining sector.
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