Authorities in South Africa are facing a grim situation at a closed gold mine in Welkom, where signs of movement have been detected following a suspected gas explosion last month. While this initially offered a glimmer of hope for survivors among the believed 31 illegal miners trapped underground, dangerous levels of methane gas are preventing rescue efforts and raising fears of further explosions.
Officials now suspect the death toll could be higher than initially estimated, as more illegal miners may have been present in the mine than previously thought. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is collaborating with inspectors and mine rescue services to confirm whether the detected movement is indeed from survivors. However, the spokesperson, Nathi Shabangu, admitted the difficulty of the situation and the unlikelihood of survivors given the time elapsed since the explosion, believed to have occurred on May 18th.
The presence of highly flammable methane gas poses a significant challenge. A spokesperson for Harmony Gold, the former operator of the mine, emphasized the extreme danger, stating that no personnel are currently permitted to enter the mine due to the risk of further explosions. The treacherous conditions are delaying rescue attempts, making it impossible for teams to access the shaft where the miners are believed to be trapped.
The incident highlights the pervasive issue of illegal mining in South Africa, where individuals risk their lives entering abandoned mines hoping to find leftover gold deposits. These operations are often unreported due to the fear of arrest among survivors. The current situation is further complicated by the fact that the trapped miners are believed to be from neighboring Lesotho, leading to delays in reporting and communication between authorities.
While illegal miners typically carry supplies for extended periods underground, the likelihood of survival diminishes significantly after a month, especially given the explosion and subsequent collapses within the mine. Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, acknowledged the possibility of a higher death toll and the extended time required for recovery efforts due to the hazardous environment. Despite the challenges, he emphasized the commitment to retrieving the bodies.
