CARLETONVILLE, South Africa — In late 2022, a specialized camera was deployed into a mineshaft that reaches nearly 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) deep, as hundreds of miners were reported trapped, facing extreme hunger and thirst, desperate for escape. The camera’s journey into the shaft, which lacked any known architectural plans detailing its intricate tunnels and levels, descended to a depth of 1,280 meters (4,200 feet), where it captured the first images of the trapped miners gathered together in apparent anticipation of rescue.
Upon recovering the camera, rescuers decided to send it back down equipped with a notepad, pen, and a message to establish contact with the miners. When the camera reached them again, the miners quickly attached their own note, revealing that about 480 individuals were trapped below, expressing their urgent need to be brought to safety. This moment marked the start of discussions on how to facilitate their rescue.
A critically developed cage, capable of descending up to 3,100 meters (10,170 feet), was employed for this significant rescue operation. It included cutting-edge cameras and communications technology tailored for aiding large groups lost within the depths of the mine. “When we reached the level, it was clear there were people waiting for assistance. Although we couldn’t count them at that moment, the visible presence indicated they were in dire need of help to ascend to the surface,” shared Mannas Fourie, the CEO of Mine Rescue Services South Africa, the organization tasked with the rescue mission.
As the operation unfolded, the tragic loss of at least 87 miners was reported, who perished during the prolonged standoff with authorities while unlawfully working in the abandoned Buffelsfontein Gold Mine. Authorities faced criticism for their initial inaction and were accused of withholding food as a means to pressure the miners, a strategy labeled “smoking them out” by a high-ranking government official. Critics, including major trade unions, condemned this approach and expressed outrage about the loss of life.
Fourie, leading the operation, noted that after lowering the cage with two volunteers from the local community, they successfully established a target of evacuating at least 35 miners daily. Initially, the team anticipated a rescue timeframe of around 16 days, based on the capacity to lift just two individuals at a time. However, after further assessments, it became clear they could utilize the cage for larger groups, increasing the number of miners rescued to as many as 13 people at a time.
A total of 57 trips were conducted using this method, managing to retrieve 246 living miners alongside 78 deceased miners’ bodies. The collaboration was crucial; while advanced equipment played a role, it was the synergy between human effort and technology that proved significant in the operation’s success. Local volunteers collaborated closely with miners to determine the order of evacuation, prioritizing those in critical health conditions.
“The local volunteers aimed to maintain order among those eager to escape,” Fourie explained. “As the miners ascended into the cage, they helped one another to fit as many individuals in as possible during each lift.” Additionally, the camera played a vital role throughout the rescue effort, continually transmitting information about conditions in the shaft, providing a live feed to evaluators above ground. This allowed the team to assess and preemptively address potential hazards within the mine.
“One of the biggest challenges
