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14 February 2025
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Rescue mission to retrieve illegal miners trapped at disused mine in Roodepoort, Johannesburg
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A rescue operation has been halted at the Rand Lease Mine in Florida, Roodepoort, where two alleged illegal miners are trapped underground. “The search and rescue operation at Rand Lease Mine in Roodepoort has been suspended due to safety concerns. However, alternative approaches will be considered after intelligence assessments to ensure a safe and effective response. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” said City of Johannesburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi on Monday, 10 February 2025.
At the weekend, reports began trickling that a group of men were trapped at the disused Rand Leases Gold Mine in Roodepoort.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community (MMC) Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, said the illegal miners, often referred to as zama zamas, could be heard screaming for help.
"City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services rescuers, South African Police Service Search and Rescue Unit, Mine Rescue Services SARZA and Gauteng EMS rushed to the site," said Mulaudzi on Sunday, 9 February 2025.
At least two illegal miners are believed to have been trapped underground over the weekend when a rope they were using to get up and down the shaft snapped.
A team of close to 20 experts were on site, plotting the operation. It is expected to be an intricate operation, first to determine the safety conditions around the shaft before an expert is sent down with equipment to establish conditions underground.
Tshwaku, said emergency teams suspended the search late on Sunday afternoon to protect the safety of Search and Rescue technicians and all personnel on site.
"Operations will resume on Monday from 8am..The affected families and community leaders have been briefed and urged to ensure that residents stay away from the area, as there is a high risk of falling into the disused mine shaft," he said.
There were concerns that the oxygen levels are low underground, with the last reading sitting at 15 percent, considered too low for survival when subjected to those levels for too long.
Sources: EWN, IOL
At the weekend, reports began trickling that a group of men were trapped at the disused Rand Leases Gold Mine in Roodepoort.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community (MMC) Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, said the illegal miners, often referred to as zama zamas, could be heard screaming for help.
"City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services rescuers, South African Police Service Search and Rescue Unit, Mine Rescue Services SARZA and Gauteng EMS rushed to the site," said Mulaudzi on Sunday, 9 February 2025.
At least two illegal miners are believed to have been trapped underground over the weekend when a rope they were using to get up and down the shaft snapped.
A team of close to 20 experts were on site, plotting the operation. It is expected to be an intricate operation, first to determine the safety conditions around the shaft before an expert is sent down with equipment to establish conditions underground.
Tshwaku, said emergency teams suspended the search late on Sunday afternoon to protect the safety of Search and Rescue technicians and all personnel on site.
"Operations will resume on Monday from 8am..The affected families and community leaders have been briefed and urged to ensure that residents stay away from the area, as there is a high risk of falling into the disused mine shaft," he said.
There were concerns that the oxygen levels are low underground, with the last reading sitting at 15 percent, considered too low for survival when subjected to those levels for too long.
Sources: EWN, IOL