Rescue operation underway for illegal miners trapped in Roodepoort mine shaft

Rescue operation underway for illegal miners trapped in Roodepoort mine shaft! Emergency rescue teams are continuing efforts to retrieve alleged illegal miners trapped underground at a disused mine shaft in Roodepoort on Monday morning.

The rescue operation, led by Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), has been underway since the weekend after reports surfaced of two individuals stuck inside the Rand Leases gold mine.

Authorities fear that there may be more miners trapped underground, as illegal mining—commonly referred to as zama zama activity—continues to pose a serious risk in abandoned mines across South Africa.

Emergency Services Respond to Reports of Trapped Zama Zamas

According to EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi, emergency services received information on Saturday indicating that at least two illegal miners were trapped inside the mine shaft.

“There is also some information surfacing that it might be more than two, which we cannot really confirm at this stage,” Mulaudzi stated.

As of Monday morning, rescue teams remain on-site, working to locate and retrieve the trapped miners.

Given the dangerous nature of abandoned mine shafts, the rescue operation is being conducted with extreme caution to ensure the safety of both the trapped miners and emergency personnel.

The Role of the Department of Mineral Resources in the Rescue Effort

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is actively involved in the operation, as the mine falls under its jurisdiction.

Mulaudzi explained that the DMR mine rescue teams were leading the response:

“This area, the jurisdiction of this area where we’re operating, is under the jurisdiction of DMR. Mine rescue teams are also on site, facilitating the lead service in terms of this rescue operation.”

The DMR and EMS are working together to assess the situation and determine the safest method of retrieving the trapped miners.

Illegal Mining: A Growing Crisis in South Africa

This latest incident highlights the ongoing dangers of illegal mining, which has become a widespread issue in South Africa.

Zama zamas—a term used for illegal miners who operate in abandoned or disused mines—risk their lives to extract gold and other minerals from dangerous underground tunnels.

Many of these miners lack proper safety equipment, making them vulnerable to:

• Mine collapses
• Suffocation from gas leaks
• Flooding
• Violence from rival mining groups or security forces

Authorities continue to crack down on illegal mining operations, yet thousands of zama zamas remain active across Gauteng, North West, and Free State provinces.

Recent Illegal Mining Tragedies

The Roodepoort rescue effort comes just a month after a devastating illegal mining tragedy in Stilfontein, North West.

In that incident, authorities retrieved the bodies of 78 illegal miners from a disused mine shaft during a government-led operation.

That disaster underscored the deadly consequences of illegal mining, with some of the retrieved bodies being badly decomposed—suggesting that the miners had been trapped for weeks before being discovered.

Similar incidents have occurred in:

• Welkom (Free State) – Multiple illegal miners died in gas explosions.
• Barberton (Mpumalanga) – Zama zamas were trapped underground for weeks before being rescued.
• Benoni (Gauteng) – Rival mining gangs clashed violently, leading to multiple deaths.

The Roodepoort case adds to the long list of mining-related emergencies, raising concerns about how authorities can better regulate and prevent illegal mining activities.

Government and Public Reactions

South African authorities have been under pressure to address the illegal mining crisis, as it not only poses a safety risk but also contributes to organized crime.

In response to recent incidents, the government has:

• Increased security around abandoned mines
• Arrested suspected zama zamas
• Destroyed illegal mining equipment
• Deployed police and military forces to illegal mining hotspots

Despite these efforts, illegal mining continues to thrive due to high unemployment rates, economic hardship, and corruption within the mining sector.

Community members and human rights activists have also called for:

• Stronger law enforcement actions against illegal mining syndicates
• Safer, legal employment opportunities for informal miners
• Better monitoring of disused mines to prevent unauthorized access

Rescue Operation Continues in Roodepoort

As of Monday morning, rescue teams remain on-site, working tirelessly to retrieve the trapped miners.

Authorities are urging the public to report illegal mining activities, emphasizing that such operations endanger lives and contribute to crime.

“We continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as the rescue progresses,” Mulaudzi assured.

For now, families of the trapped miners anxiously await news, hoping that the rescue teams will be able to bring them back to the surface alive.

Final Thoughts

The Roodepoort mine rescue is yet another reminder of the urgent need to address illegal mining in South Africa.

While emergency teams continue their efforts to save those trapped, the bigger challenge remains: How to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

Authorities and communities alike must work together to find lasting solutions to the illegal mining crisis, ensuring that no more lives are lost in the pursuit of underground riches.