Mining expert warns of high risk of Stilfontein rescue mission

JOHANNESBURG - As phase 3 of a plan to retrieve illegal miners from underground in Stilfontein resumes on Tuesday morning, some mining experts have again warned of the high risks involved in the current rescue mission.

A cage has been assembled and was sent down the shaft at an abandoned mine for the first time on Monday, where hundreds of zama zamas are running an illegal mining network.

READ: Nine bodies retrieved in Stilfontein as phase 3 of rescue mission continues

The multi-million rand rescue mission, which has been running for two months is part of government’s efforts to clear the shaft and shut down the illegal mining network.

Mine rescue experts working on the operation released a report about a month ago after sending a camera down shaft 11 at the Buffelsfontein gold mine.

In the report were red flags about the risks involved in the complex rescue mission, including the presence of toxic gases like methane.

There were also fears that armed gangs thought to be operating underground would compromise the mission.

After a cage was sent down to retrieve the first group on Monday, mining expert Peter Major said it wouldn’t be an easy operation.

“You’re lowering this basket down that doesn’t fill up components so it will sway, it’s really risky. Anybody going down there should be promised one heck of a retirement package.”

A community leader, Mandla Charles, has volunteered to man the cage when it’s sent down.

While it's understood the government will not be paying the community leader, sources with knowledge of the operation said non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were trying to secure funds to compensate him for his role in the operation.