Mantashe expects recovery of first body at Ekapa by Saturday
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe says rescue teams working at Ekapa Minerals in Kimberley are hoping to recover at least one body by Saturday afternoon.
The minister’s remarks indicate that the ongoing recovery operation may soon reach a breakthrough
The minister conducted a follow-up visit to the mine on Friday, during which five workers were trapped underground following a mud rush more than a week ago.
The miners are presumed dead.
During the visit, Mantashe received an updated progress report from departmental inspectors, mine management and rescue teams.
The update confirmed that, following an extensive dewatering process, teams are removing mud from affected sections of the mine, a crucial step to access the area where the workers are believed to be trapped.
Addressing management during his visit, Mantashe also touched on the decision by the mine’s owners to apply for liquidation.
“Announcing liquidation during a disaster is an act of bad faith on the part of the mine, particularly in an industry where workers' lives have been endangered in the past. The safety of mineworkers, who convert investments into wealth, must take precedence over profit."
Mantashe has reiterated that the liquidation process should be delayed until all the mineworkers have been recovered.
He also urged the mine’s management to meet regularly with trade unions to discuss outstanding salaries for workers.
The government has committed to maintaining oversight at the site, with inspectors from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources remaining on the ground until the operation is complete.
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