By: Natasha Archary

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) received a report that 31 illegal miners have lost their lives in a ventilation shaft in Welkom, Free State.
According to the Department, the suspected illegal miners are believed to be Basotho nationals.
News of the miner’s deaths were relayed to the High Commission of South Africa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho on Sunday, 18 May.
The mine shaft that the miners were killed in, had reportedly last been operational in the 1990s.
“Although information on this tragic situation comes sporadically, we are doing our utmost best to act on the information, including information regarding three bodies which have been reported to be retrieved and brought to the surface by other illegal miners.
Working in collaboration with the previous owners of the mine, Harmony, the DMRE inspectors have assessed the situation and determined that methane levels at the mine, in ventilation shaft 5 was very high.
As such it’s currently too risky to dispatch a search team to the shaft. However, we are considering various options to speedily deal with the situation.”
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy
The Department said it would, together with all relevant stakeholders work to ensure that all deceased miners are recovered from the mine.
[BREAKING NEWS] The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has received a report that at least 31 suspected illegal miners who are believed to be Basotho nationals, have lost their lives in a ventilation Shaft 5 Virginia mine, in Welkom, Free State province. pic.twitter.com/NMb9gy9JmJ
— Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (@DMRE_ZA) June 22, 2023
Also read: Eskom Head of Security Karen Pillay suspended pending outcome of investigation



