Rescue Operations at South African Gold Mine Conclude with No More Miners Trapped

Mon Oct 20 2025 09:58:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Authorities declare no remaining illegal miners underground as rescue efforts yield numerous survivors and recover tragic losses.

Following extensive rescue operations at a South African gold mine, volunteers assert that all trapped miners have been rescued, with over 200 individuals saved and at least 78 fatalities reported. The government is now focusing on assessing the situation with advanced equipment to confirm the status of the underground environment.

Rescue teams working tirelessly to save illegal miners at a gold mine in South Africa have reported that no miners are believed to remain trapped underground. The operation, which began early in the week, resulted in the recovery of more than 200 survivors and the tragic discovery of at least 78 bodies. The local government was compelled to facilitate these rescue efforts following a court ruling.

The tense situation began last November when authorities announced a crackdown on illegal mining, threatening to arrest individuals who surfaced from the mines or were found to be illegally working underground. During a visit on Tuesday, officials faced furious protests from crowds who blamed the government for the fatalities linked to the mining activities.

Reports from the South African Police Service indicate that upwards of 1,500 miners managed to surface before rescue initiatives commenced. However, many others remained hidden underground, fearing arrest or being held against their will by criminal gangs operating within the mine itself. While volunteers have expressed confidence that all miners have been accounted for, authorities remain cautious, stating that they will dispatch a rescue cage equipped with advanced technology to verify the claims.

The ongoing challenges of illegal mining in South Africa have resulted from the abandonment of numerous mines over the past three decades, with gangs taking control of operations and selling illicitly sourced minerals. The Stilfontein mine, located approximately 145 kilometers from Johannesburg, has been the focal point of government initiatives aimed at curbing this illegal trade.

For many of the rescued individuals, the ordeal was grueling. Some had faced extreme hunger and dehydration since November, emerging from the depths notably malnourished. Now in medical care, these survivors will face legal challenges stemming from charges of illegal mining, trespassing, and breaches of immigration laws, as many are undocumented migrants hailing from neighboring nations.

Mines Minister Gwede Mantashe reiterated the government’s stance, labeling illegal mining as detrimental to the nation's economy and positioning it as a priority concern for South Africa, which has an unemployment rate exceeding 30%. The plight of these unauthorized miners highlights a broader issue of economic desperation among those seeking work in a struggling industry.