'No help to criminals': South Africa refuses to help 4,000 workers trapped in illegal mines
2 months ago

'No help to criminals': South Africa refuses to help 4,000 workers trapped in illegal mines

Firstpost  

South Africa’s government has refused help to around 4,000 illegal miners trapped in a closed mine in as part of its ‘close the hole’ operation aimed at ending illegal mining South Africa’s government says it will not help about 4,000 illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country’s North West province as part of an official policy against illegal mining. Cabinet Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told reporters on Wednesday that the government would not send any help to the illegal miners because they are involved in a criminal act. Illegal mining remains common in South Africa’s old gold-mining areas, with miners going into closed shafts to dig for any possible remaining deposits. Their presence in closed mines have also created problems with nearby communities, which complain that the illegal miners commit crimes ranging from robberies to rape.

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History of this topic

78 killed in South Africa's illegal gold mine as authorities face backlash for 'horrific' crackdown
5 hours, 30 minutes ago

78 killed in South Africa's illegal gold mine as authorities face backlash for 'horrific' crackdown

Firstpost  

At least 78 dead bodies have been pulled from an illegal gold mine in South Africa where police cut off food and water supplies for months, in what trade unions called a “horrific” crackdown on desperate people trying to eke out a living Members of the South African police, patrol as they guard the mine shaft where rescue operations are …

Hundreds of miners became stuck underground. Why did police block their water supply?
8 hours, 31 minutes ago

Hundreds of miners became stuck underground. Why did police block their water supply?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The bodies of illegal miners …

3 Chinese nationals receive 7-year prison sentences and fines for illegal mineral activities in Congo
13 hours, 32 minutes ago

3 Chinese nationals receive 7-year prison sentences and fines for illegal mineral activities in Congo

Firstpost  

The defendants were also found guilty of fraud, money laundering and looting. It is unclear if they will remain in the eastern city of Bukavu, where they are held, or if they will be transferred elsewhere Three Chinese citizens were sentenced Tuesday to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay $600,000 in fines for illegally exploiting mineral resources in …

South Africa gold mine tragedy: 36 bodies recovered, 86 survivors arrested for illegal mining
Trending News
15 hours, 11 minutes ago

South Africa gold mine tragedy: 36 bodies recovered, 86 survivors arrested for illegal mining

Firstpost  

The police said that the operation will continue for several days, as it involves the use of a metal cage to recover men and bodies from a mine shaft more than 2 km underground. Rescuers and South African Police Service officers carry remains in blue body bags during a rescue operation to retrieve illegal miners from an abandoned gold shaft …

Why Hundreds of miners are still trapped and feared starving in abandoned South African mine
Trending News
16 hours, 38 minutes ago

Why Hundreds of miners are still trapped and feared starving in abandoned South African mine

Deccan Chronicle  

Cape Town: South African authorities have come under intense scrutiny for their response after civic groups said hundreds of miners have been trapped deep in an abandoned gold mine for months, with more than 100 of them believed to have died of starvation or dehydration. Police tried to force the miners out last year by cutting off their supplies and …

Are hundreds of South Africa miners dead, trapped underground?
Trending News
1 day, 6 hours ago

Are hundreds of South Africa miners dead, trapped underground?

Firstpost  

South Africa’s Buffelsfontein Gold Mine has become the centre of a storm with civic groups saying 100 miners have died in an abandoned gold mine and that hundreds of others remain trapped deep underground, while authorities claim that the men can come out at any time but fear being arrested A miner is transported on a stretcher by rescue workers …

South Africa: Videos show dead bodies at disused gold mine
Top News
1 day, 18 hours ago

South Africa: Videos show dead bodies at disused gold mine

Firstpost  

Authorities in South Africa began rescuing hundreds of people sheltering in an illegal gold mine with videos showing corpses wrapped in makeshift body bags and emaciated figures of some who are still alive deprived of food, water and medicines supplies Rescuers and South African Police Service officers carry remains in blue body bags during a rescue operation to retrieve illegal …

South Africa’s police minister promises to clamp down on illegal mining
1 month, 2 weeks ago

South Africa’s police minister promises to clamp down on illegal mining

Al Jazeera  

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Senzo Mchunu says authorities do not know how many people are trapped in the disused goldmine in Stilfontein. Miners resurface in South Africa: Three teenagers tell of mistreatment underground South Africa’s police minister has pledged to rescue all the people still trapped in an abandoned goldmine in the northwestern town of Stilfontein “as soon …

Miners trapped underground in South Africa: What’s the latest?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Miners trapped underground in South Africa: What’s the latest?

Al Jazeera  

South African police this week arrested a group of 14 people who resurfaced from a gold mine that’s at the centre of a tense, weeks-long standoff between unauthorised miners and authorities in the northwestern town of Stilfontein. Informal miners have for decades combed once functional South African gold mines looking for gold deposits or other precious metal deposits. Officials prevented …

South Africa's illegal gold miners are locked in an underground standoff with police
1 month, 3 weeks ago

South Africa's illegal gold miners are locked in an underground standoff with police

NPR  

South Africa's illegal gold miners are locked in an underground standoff with police toggle caption Shiraaz Mohamed/AFP via Getty Images JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Sleeping next to decomposing corpses and surviving on a foul mixture of toothpaste mixed with toilet paper. In South Africa, workers at illegal gold mines like these are known as "zama-zamas," meaning "one who takes a …

South African police maintain siege against 'illegal' underground miners despite court ordering access
1 month, 3 weeks ago

South African police maintain siege against 'illegal' underground miners despite court ordering access

ABC  

Starving miners fearing arrest have spent months underground, blockaded by South African authorities who say they are cracking down on illegal operations. "So the police said, 'well, look, if we don't give them food for long enough, then if they surely they will come out'." Ms Mathe said "no police officer, no soldier or government official will go down to …

Operation ‘Close the Hole’: What to know about a standoff between police and trapped miners in South Africa
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Operation ‘Close the Hole’: What to know about a standoff between police and trapped miners in South Africa

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South African authorities are embroiled …

What to know about a standoff between police and illegal miners at a South Africa mine
1 month, 3 weeks ago

What to know about a standoff between police and illegal miners at a South Africa mine

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South African authorities are embroiled in a standoff with an unconfirmed number of illegal miners who remain underground at an abandoned mine, apparently fearing arrest by police officers deployed at the site. Police and military join forces in operation “Close the Hole” Since last December, police, government agencies and the military have joined forces in an operation dubbed …

South Africa's Ramaphosa calls for safe recovery of illegal miners stuck underground
1 month, 4 weeks ago

South Africa's Ramaphosa calls for safe recovery of illegal miners stuck underground

Hindustan Times  

JOHANNESBURG, - South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday lives should not be put at risk in a standoff between police and hundreds of illegal miners stuck underground in a disused mine shaft and the miners should be recovered safely. South Africa's Ramaphosa calls for safe recovery of illegal miners stuck underground The police have blocked miners' supplies of …

South African miners trapped underground: What you need to know
1 month, 4 weeks ago

South African miners trapped underground: What you need to know

Al Jazeera  

Police officials surrounded the mine and cut off suppliers to the illegal miners, hoping to force them out. Hundreds – possibly thousands – of miners remain trapped in an abandoned gold mine in South Africa’s northwestern Stilfontein town, fearful to come out of hiding and face arrest by security officials in a tense standoff that has continued for weeks. Earlier …

Court orders South Africa police to end mine stand-off
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Court orders South Africa police to end mine stand-off

CNN  

CNN — A South African court ordered police to end a standoff with illegal miners and allow emergency workers to gain access to a shaft where hundreds are believed to be holed up. On Friday, the South African Human Rights Commission said in a statement it was investigating the police for restricting the miners’ essential supplies. The South African Police …

Volunteers mobilise as South Africa says it will rescue trapped miners
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Volunteers mobilise as South Africa says it will rescue trapped miners

Al Jazeera  

Dozens of local volunteers have stepped up to help rescue what could be thousands of miners feared trapped underground in an abandoned gold mine in the town of Stilfontein in South Africa. Local campaigners say as many as 4,000 miners entered the gold mine in the town in North West province, and some are feared to now be physically too …

South African government seeks experts’ help to bring illegal miners to the surface
2 months ago

South African government seeks experts’ help to bring illegal miners to the surface

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — The South African government said on Friday it has put together a team including mine rescue experts to come up with a plan to bring to surface illegal miners who remain under a disused gold mine. The move signaled the government was taking a more conciliatory approach compared to earlier this week, when it said it wouldn’t send …

South Africa to deny aid to trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein operation
2 months ago

South Africa to deny aid to trapped illegal miners in Stilfontein operation

India Today  

South Africa’s government says it won’t help a group of illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country’s North West province who have been denied access to basic supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining. Mathe said they had information that the miners may be heavily armed, adding that since embarking on operations against illegal miners …

South African police in standoff with hundreds of illegal miners in disused shaft
2 months ago

South African police in standoff with hundreds of illegal miners in disused shaft

Hindustan Times  

JOHANNESBURG, - South African police were in a standoff on Thursday with hundreds of illegal miners believed to be underground in a disused shaft, a day after a cabinet minister said the government was trying to "smoke them out". South African police in standoff with hundreds of illegal miners in disused shaft Police have been trying for weeks to empty …

South Africa says it won’t help 4,000 miners running out of food inside closed mine
2 months ago

South Africa says it won’t help 4,000 miners running out of food inside closed mine

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The government in South Africa …

South Africa’s government won’t help the illegal miners inside a closed mine
2 months ago

South Africa’s government won’t help the illegal miners inside a closed mine

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s government says it won’t help a group of illegal miners inside a closed mine in the country’s North West province who have been denied access to basic supplies as part of an official strategy against illegal mining. Mathe said they had information that the miners may be heavily armed, adding that since embarking on operations against …

Hundreds of illegal miners holed up in disused shaft in South Africa. Here’s what we know
2 months ago

Hundreds of illegal miners holed up in disused shaft in South Africa. Here’s what we know

CNN  

CNN — Several hundred people are believed to remain in an illegal mine in South Africa after the government cut off vital supplies and refused to help them, in a dramatic bid to crack down on the industry. South Africa’s Federation of Trade Unions said it was “extremely concerned” that the situation “may end in a tragedy.” “Cutting off food …

A city at risk of collapsing: The cost of the search for gold in Zimbabwe
4 months, 1 week ago

A city at risk of collapsing: The cost of the search for gold in Zimbabwe

Al Jazeera  

How illegal gold mining is leaving a trail of destruction and threatening lives in the mineral-rich city of Kwekwe. “The collapse of the classroom block at Globe and Phoenix Primary School is once again a reminder that irresponsible mining is retrogressive and should not be tolerated at any level,” the environmental watchdog’s statement said. “Some of them we are going …

South Africa turns to army in nationwide clampdown on illegal mining
1 year, 2 months ago

South Africa turns to army in nationwide clampdown on illegal mining

Al Jazeera  

As many as 3,300 army personnel will take part in an ‘intensified’ operation to curb illegal mining across South Africa. South Africa’s president has ordered thousands of military personnel to assist in a nationwide operation against illegal mining, an activity that is estimated to cost the country billions of dollars each year. The president’s spokesman Vincent Magwenya announced on Thursday …

Hundreds of miners leave South Africa gold mine after being underground for 3 days in union dispute
1 year, 2 months ago

Hundreds of miners leave South Africa gold mine after being underground for 3 days in union dispute

Associated Press  

SPRINGS, South Africa — Hundreds of miners who spent three days underground because of a union dispute left a gold mine in South Africa on Wednesday, mine officials and the union at the center of the standoff said. More than 100 miners who police and mine officials said were held against their will by fellow employees of the mine near …

6 miners killed, 15 trapped underground in collapse of a gold mine in Zimbabwe, state media reports
1 year, 3 months ago

6 miners killed, 15 trapped underground in collapse of a gold mine in Zimbabwe, state media reports

Associated Press  

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Six people have died in the collapse of a gold mine in Zimbabwe, and 15 others are still trapped underground, according to state media reports. State-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation quoted deputy mines minister Polite Kambamura as saying 34 miners had been caught in Friday’s collapse. The broadcaster on Saturday said rescue operations were underway at Beyhose mine …

'Movement' detected at South African mine where dozens suspected dead, but no search operation yet
1 year, 6 months ago

'Movement' detected at South African mine where dozens suspected dead, but no search operation yet

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

‘Movement’ at South African mine raises possibility of survivors
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Movement’ at South African mine raises possibility of survivors

Al Jazeera  

Authorities say a search is yet to be launched because of dangerously high levels of methane after May explosion. “Movement” has been detected underground at a shuttered gold mine in South Africa’s Free State where at least 31 miners working illegally died in a suspected gas explosion in May, raising a slim possibility that there may be survivors, officials tell …

South Africa says 31 illegal miners believed killed in explosion in May, only now coming to light
1 year, 6 months ago

South Africa says 31 illegal miners believed killed in explosion in May, only now coming to light

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

S Africa probes deaths of 31 Lesotho miners in May explosion
1 year, 6 months ago

S Africa probes deaths of 31 Lesotho miners in May explosion

Al Jazeera  

At least 31 people are believed to have died in a gas explosion in a disused mine shaft in South Africa’s Free State province that happened on May 18 but has only now come to light, authorities said on Friday. The dead are believed to be from neighbouring Lesotho – which reported the incident to South African authorities – and …

Police: 21 bodies found at mine in South Africa
2 years, 2 months ago

Police: 21 bodies found at mine in South Africa

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South African police are investigating the discovery of at least 21 bodies suspected of being illegal miners that were found near an active mine in the town of Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg. The Sowetan newspaper reported that the bodies were those of illegal miners who died when a tunnel at a different mine collapsed, although police declined to …

New attacks against illegal miners after South Africa rapes
2 years, 5 months ago

New attacks against illegal miners after South Africa rapes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Violence against illegal miners in …

New attacks against illegal miners after South Africa rapes
2 years, 5 months ago

New attacks against illegal miners after South Africa rapes

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — Violence against illegal miners in South Africa spread Friday despite calls for restraint from the country’s president, following the arrests of more than 80 men, some thought to be miners, over the gang rapes of eight women last week. Local residents enraged at the incident torched illegal miners’ camps in the neighboring Kagiso township on Thursday, and attacked …

Anger, clashes in South Africa following gang rape arrests
2 years, 5 months ago

Anger, clashes in South Africa following gang rape arrests

Associated Press  

KRUGERSDORP, South Africa — Protesters in the South African city of Krugersdorp beat suspected illegal miners with sticks and set fire to their camps Thursday following the arrests of more than 80 men, some thought to be miners, in connection with the gang rapes of eight women last week. Some suspected illegal miners were stripped of their clothes and whipped …

South Africa: Nine illegal miners stoned to death in ‘barbaric attack’
4 years, 11 months ago

South Africa: Nine illegal miners stoned to death in ‘barbaric attack’

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Nine Lesotho nationals, who were reportedly involved in illegal …

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