Deadly Mine Dump Collapse Claims 14 Illegal Miners in South Africa

South African authorities announced an investigation after 14 suspected illegal miners died when a mine dump collapsed on them on Monday night.

Eight others were injured, and an unknown number of individuals may still be trapped beneath the surface, police said in a statement.

The site was being legally operated by a mining company, and it remains unclear how the affected individuals, predominantly from the neighboring Lesotho region, obtained entry.

Illegal mining is a persistent problem in South Africa, as miners known locally as “zama zamas” (“those who try their luck” in Zulu) struggle to survive by working in abandoned shafts or hazardous dump sites.

Regional police chief Lt-Gen Arthur Adams visited the scene on Tuesday morning, reporting that the dump site was being utilized by a local company for mining platinum and other metals.

He stated during an interview with local broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that the walls of the dump site collapsed onto the miners.

Adams confirmed that three of the injured miners have been discharged from the hospital and are now under police custody.

He noted that all affected individuals were undocumented foreign nationals and will face charges related to illegal mining and trespassing.

Adams confirmed that the ongoing search for trapped miners remains unresolved.

“Excavation operations have been halted at this time,” he stated.

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