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A team including the SAPS and the Gauteng EMS are pictured on the site of a search and rescue operation of illegal miners believed to be trapped at a disused mine shift in Roodepoort on 09 February 2025
Search and rescue operations for alleged illegal miners trapped in an abandoned mine in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, are set to resume this morning.
An unknown number of people are believed to be trapped underground at the Rand Lease Mine in Florida.
♦️ BREAKING NEWS ♦️
Two Zama Zamas are trapped underground at the Rand Lease Mine in Florida, Roodepoort. Their desperate cries for help can be heard, and they have been assured that rescue efforts are underway.
Emergency teams, including COJ EMS, the Department of Mineral… pic.twitter.com/MUa2QJpnac
— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) February 9, 2025
No reported injuries have been at this stage.
Johannesburg Emergency Services Spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi says the operations were temporarily called off yesterday due to safety concerns.
@CityofJoburgEMS Rescue Technicians called off the search for today to ensure safety of Rescuers the search will resume tomorrow morning around 08h00 in the area. @CityofJoburgZA @CoJPublicSafety (RobertM) pic.twitter.com/k8x6yIfzfo
— City of Joburg EMS (@CityofJoburgEMS) February 9, 2025
Escalation of illegal mining in GP
Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, says the escalation of illegal mining in the province is a serious concern.
Illegal mining is prevalent in areas including Langlaagte at Zamimpilo, Riverlea, Selby, Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Florida and Cleveland.
The province, which has about 160 mining companies, is the country’s economic hub.
Maile called for a lasting solution to illegal mining. “We are concerned about illegal mining and that is why we are saying it is time to have conversations to formalise the sector how do we help those who are already doing this to stop doing illicit mining and regulate it properly and to properly contribute to revenue and fight poverty and unemployment.”
-Additional reporting by Phanuel Shuma
