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[File Image]: A suspected illegal miner looks at the entrance of an underground gold mine.
Mining expert, David van Wyk says claims by miners that they are being forced into illegal mining is a clear indication that there is a syndicate on the surface at the old mine shaft in Sabie.
Around 106 illegal miners are still reported to be underground.
Eight miners have been brought to the surface, and three bodies have been retrieved at the shaft in Mpumalanga.
The rescue operations are expected to resume this morning.
Van Wyk says, “There is no way that the gold can flow into the system except through the syndicates and this is why we need to we need to really regulate this particular industry. Tell people where they may or may not go.”
“Create conditions that are safe. Create a centralised buying agency that buys the gold and that buying agency will not buy from syndicates but from cooperatives that are registered with the state and so on. We really need to hasten the process because otherwise we are heading for chaos.”
Equipment
Mpumalanga police say additional equipment has been secured to fast track rescue operations at a mine shaft in Sabie.
Operations were temporarily suspended yesterday evening due to safety concerns.
Mpumalanga Provincial Spokesperson, Donald Mdhluli says, “We can indicate that the operation went very well yesterday. We are expecting around 150 that are still underground. Yesterday, they were using just one rope, a tea of rescuers but today they tried to secure some more equipment. They are also going to bring a crane and other equipment in trying to make the process to be quicker.” -Additional reporting by Diteboho Ntamane.
PODCAST | Interview with Mdhluli on Sabie operation:
