Authorities are continuing efforts to recover the bodies of five miners trapped underground following a mud rush at the Ekapa Mine in Kimberley, with Gwede Mantashe telling Parliament that crews are moving closer to reaching the victims.
The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister said on Tuesday that teams are preparing to begin loading and removing large volumes of mud as part of the complex and high-risk recovery operation.
“We are hoping that today they will start loading the mud, and once they start, they are closer to the bodies,” Mantashe said.
The five miners were buried last week when a sudden, fast-moving mudflow swept through part of the underground workings. While most of the crew managed to escape, the five workers remain trapped.
Recovery operations have been hampered by heavy water accumulation and difficult drilling conditions. Mantashe said approximately 1,000 cubic metres of water had already been drained from the site.
“At the beginning they didn’t know where the water came from until we dispatched the council of geology to detect the source,” he explained.
The mine’s chief inspector and a specialised recovery team remain stationed on site to oversee the operation, which involves carefully removing mud to avoid further collapses or endangering rescue personnel.
Mantashe acknowledged the grim reality of the situation, noting that survival after several days under mud is unlikely.
“When we talk about a mud rush, we can’t talk about life after five days of being overrun by mud. Presumption of death is a legal exercise, but our focus is on recovering the bodies safely,” he said.
Mining activities at the Joint Shaft Mine have been suspended while recovery efforts continue. Authorities say safety remains the top priority as crews proceed with a cautious and methodical approach.
The minister is expected to return to the mine on Friday to assess progress.