153 Illegal Miners Rescued, 3 Bodies Retrieved At Mpumalanga Mine

Police have rescued at least 153 illegal miners during an operation at the abandoned South Mine in Sabie, Mpumalanga. The four-day operation also resulted in the recovery of three bodies.

The operation involved a diverse team including workers from a mining company, security firms and various government departments like the SAPS, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Health, and the South African National Defence Force.

No injuries were reported among the rescued individuals or the law enforcement personnel involved, the police said, SA News reported.

Among those rescued were people from South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, praised the teamwork, professionalism, and cooperation shown during the operation.

The investigation into the illegal mining activities has started to ensure justice is served. Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi urged everyone to allow the team to carry out their work without distractions and promised the public would be informed later.

Meanwhile, Operation Vala Umgodi will continue to address illegal mining in the province.

Last month, Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya welcomed the arrests of 225 illegal miners in the North West province.

These arrests occurred when the illegal miners came out of underground tunnels in Orkney due to starvation and dehydration. The SAPS and the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) are working together to block the routes used to bring food and supplies to these illegal miners.

Earlier this year, mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister Nobuhle Nkabane promised artisanal and small-scale miners that the government would keep helping them grow in the mining industry.

Nkabane recalled that the artisanal and small-scale mining policy was introduced in 2002 as a part of the government's efforts to grow a globally competitive and transformed mining sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa also earlier this year acknowledged that persistent challenges are hurting the nation's mining performance and his government is working hard to fix the problems in the mining industry.

The mining industry in South Africa contributes 7.5% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and accounts for around 60% of the country's exports.