STILFONTEIN, South Africa — In the cramped confines of deserted caves, numerous men huddled together, some unable to even stand due to the limited space. The damp, oppressive air was filled with relentless coughs echoing off the walls of the subterranean prison they occupied. Nearby, several bodies wrapped in makeshift coverings lay in rows, contributing to a pungent atmosphere that mixed the foul odors of decay with that of unwashed human bodies and moist stone.
These miners had been without adequate nourishment, which had become increasingly scarce after law enforcement intensified crackdowns on their unsanctioned mining activities, effectively cutting off food supplies. Normally, they relied on provisions such as meat, bread, and porridge prepared over propane camp stoves, but these resources had completely dried up. During the lengthy waiting periods, the men often resorted to smoking cigarettes and marijuana, whenever they could get their hands on them.
This harrowing account, shared informally by a miner and supported by videos captured on cellphones and made public by a miners’ advocacy group, reveals the grueling ordeal endured by hundreds of individuals trapped deep underground within an abandoned mine in South Africa. Following police initiatives aimed at eliminating illegal gold mining, food and supplies were cut off to compel them to leave. After a recent court order prompted a rescue effort, authorities reported that no miners remained underground, although they recovered numerous bodies, with at least 87 confirmed fatalities.
One particular miner, wishing to remain anonymous due to fear of retribution, surfaced after spending almost six months underground. He described the horrific conditions: extreme hunger plagued many of his companions, and sickness led to an escalating number of deaths. He had entered the mine in July and finally emerged on Christmas Day, bearing witness to the grim reality of his fellow diggers suffering and dying in silence.
Since August of last year, nearly 2,000 illegal miners have emerged from the depths of the Stilfontein mine, following police operations targeting the extensive underground mining activities that reportedly siphoned over $3 billion from the South African economy in the previous year. As the miner recounted, conditions became dire as they resorted to consuming coarse salt, all that remained to alleviate the gnawing hunger.
The miner reflected on how things deteriorated rapidly after the police intervention. “I felt like I had bad luck because I had entered just two weeks prior to the operation. That was when everything turned worse; we stopped receiving food input, and our connections to the outside world vanished,” he explained.
By September, many were succumbing to hunger and diseases, with deaths becoming increasingly common. “Witnessing someone’s death and being helpless to intervene is indescribably painful,” he lamented.
Emerging from the mine through a different shaft multiple months later was treacherous. The miner described the exit as arduous, leading to bruised hands and grim discoveries of deceased individuals who had attempted to escape the same way. “We encountered the bodies of those who had tried to climb out before us. It was a sight I wish to erase from my memory,” he stated solemnly.
Why do these individuals willingly descend into such perilous circumstances? The answer lies predominantly in the economic desperation they face. Illegal mining represents a survival lifeline for many impoverished households living near the thousands of abandoned mines scattered throughout South Africa. The miner had been promised a payment of approximately $5,300 for a few weeks of work in one of the most profound gold mines left unregulated—a sum that could significantly alter the lives of many in a nation struggling with immense economic inequality and high unemployment rates.
Moreover, many miners journey from neighboring countries such as Mozambique and Zimbabwe, often involving even children. A notable instance includes the rescue of 13 minors from the Stilfontein mine last year.
Community member Mmastona Mbizana expressed her distress over her two sons’ foray into illegal mining, spurred by the absence of employment options. She revealed that her 22-year-old son was arrested during the police operation in December following his time spent underground. “His father passed away last year, and he couldn’t even attend the funeral due to being buried in the mine,” Mbizana shared, illustrating the harsh realities of their circumstances.
Her other son, Lucky, found himself arrested for transporting supplies to the mine. Now walking with crutches due to a leg injury sustained during a police raid, he recounted the chaotic moments of their encounter: “Suddenly, the police arrived, firing rubber bullets and tear gas. The gas disoriented me, leading to a fall that broke my leg.”
Before his arrest, Lucky earned $424 monthly from his work supplying food and other goods, which included canned foods, bread, and even cigarettes. Activists hold the government accountable for the severe losses of life experienced at Stilfontein, criticizing its slow response to the crisis.
Although the government stated the loss of life is tragic, they emphasized the criminal nature of illegal mining as a detriment to the nation’s economy. Stakeholders argue that illegal activities lead to wider community issues, including violence and the destruction of local infrastructure, instilling fear among residents who often hear violent disputes erupting between rival factions.
Mines Minister Gwede Mantashe insisted that accountability for the deaths lies with those reaping the benefits of illegal mining. South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirmed ongoing investigations into the illegal mining ecosystem, focusing on identifying primary beneficiaries of this underground economy. “The drain of finances from South Africa due to illegal mining is immense, and we will trace where these products are being funneled,” he noted.
