31 miner confirmed dead in South Africa May explosion
At least 31 people are believed to have died last month in a gas explosion in a disused mine shaft in South Africa. The victims are believed to be from neighboring Lesotho, and their deaths occurred in a ventilation shaft where methane levels were very high.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is conducting an investigation into the incident in the mine in the city of Welkom in the central Free State province with the assistance of Harmony Gold, the previous owner of the mine. However, the retrieval of the bodies has been delayed due to the dangerously high levels of methane gas in the shaft.
Illegal mining
Illegal mining is a prevalent issue in South Africa’s old gold-mining areas, where miners enter closed and hazardous mine shafts in search of deposits. This activity is often conducted by small-scale miners or organized criminal networks. The presence of heavily armed criminal gangs makes it challenging for authorities to police these activities effectively.
According to the information provided, three bodies were recovered after being brought to the surface by other illegal miners, and 16 suspected illegal miners have turned themselves in to the authorities.
Harmony Gold, the former owner of the mine, considers the incident a criminal matter and has handed it over to the South African police for further investigation. They are working with the DMRE to determine the next steps.
“The situation is undoubtedly a tragic one, and it highlights the dangers associated with illegal mining activities. Efforts to address this issue and improve safety measures are ongoing, but it remains a complex challenge that cannot be solved overnight,” said Harmony Gold.
