Mine safety in focus as Mantashe visits Ekapa following Kimberley mud rush incident

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe is set to conduct an oversight visit to the Ekapa diamond mine in Kimberley, Northern Cape, on Friday, as search and rescue operations continue following a mud rush in the early hours of February 17.

Five mineworkers are believed to be trapped approximately 890 metres underground after the incident, which occurred following heavy rains and water ingress into the mine. Contact with the missing workers has been lost.

Minister to receive comprehensive briefing

Mantashe’s visit forms part of his ongoing commitment to strengthening mine safety and supporting mineworkers across South Africa’s mining sector.

During the visit, he is expected to receive a comprehensive briefing from mine management and departmental inspectors on the circumstances surrounding the incident, as well as progress made in the search and rescue efforts.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has maintained close oversight of the situation, with inspectors monitoring compliance with safety protocols and emergency response procedures.

Industry leadership offers support

The Minerals Council South Africa has also dispatched a senior management delegation to Kimberley to provide support during the rescue operation. The team includes modernisation and safety senior executive Sietse van der Woude and safety and sustainable development head Dushendra Naidoo.

Their presence underscores the industry’s collective focus on mine safety, particularly in high-risk underground environments where unexpected geological or weather-related events can pose significant challenges.

Dewatering operations under way

The mud rush is understood to have followed heavy rainfall that led to water ingress underground. Pumping and dewatering efforts are currently under way to stabilise conditions and allow rescue teams to safely access the affected area.

Underground incidents linked to water accumulation and ground instability highlight the importance of robust monitoring systems, effective drainage infrastructure and continuous safety upgrades, priorities that have increasingly featured in national mine safety discussions.

Renewed spotlight on mine safety

The incident has once again placed mine safety at the centre of public and industry attention. Oversight visits by senior government officials typically serve to reinforce accountability, ensure compliance with regulations, and provide reassurance to affected families and communities.

As rescue teams continue their efforts at Ekapa, the focus remains firmly on safely locating and reaching the trapped mineworkers while preventing further risk to emergency personnel.