Ekapa Mine joint shaft in Kimberley.
Image: Danie van der Lith/DFA
Ten days after a mudslide trapped five miners 890 metres underground at Ekapa Mine in Kimberley, rescue operations have entered what authorities describe as a decisive phase, with government projecting that the men could be reached by Saturday afternoon.
During a follow-up visit to the mine on Friday, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe received an updated briefing on the ongoing operation. In a joint statement issued by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Northern Cape Provincial Government, it was confirmed that after an extensive dewatering process, teams are now removing mud from affected sections of the mine.
“This critical step will enable teams to access the areas where the mineworkers are believed to be trapped,” the statement said.
Mantashe was joined by MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Venus Blennies-Magage and Sol Plaatje Executive Mayor Martha Bartlett during the oversight visit to Ekapa Minerals on February 27.
A previous oversight visit was conducted by a delegation led by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, and Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul.
Image: Sandi Kwon Hoo / DFA
Mantashe stated that retrieving the miners remained the immediate priority.
“We can’t talk about liquidation or anything else at this time. It is an unacceptable situation that employees have not received their salaries. There is a meeting with the labour union at 2pm on February 27.”
He urged mine management and rescue teams to intensify efforts to ensure that the miners were brought back to the surface as swiftly as possible, so that their families could find closure.
“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.”
He further said that he believed there were many options for the thousands of workers who now face being unemployed following the closure of the mine.
“There are many things that can be done. The mine could be taken over, or other mines will employ them. The diamond mining sector is at its lowest level, prices go up and down but it will pick up at some point.”
Mantashe added that DMPR was a regulator and not an employer.
"I am no longer a shop steward. Mines are there to make profits and they employ people along the way," he stated.
Blennies-Magage said the provincial government’s focus remained on recovering the five mineworkers.
"Mine management will meet with the union to resolve on the outstanding salary of the workers. Government has committed to regularly visiting the mine until all mineworkers are accounted for and brought back to the surface.
"The Department’s inspectors will remain on site until the rescue mission is completed,” she said.
She added that the provincial government would look towards absorbing retrenched workers from Ekapa Minerals.
“Kimberley is moving to a post-mining town. We are working closely with Sol Plaatje municipality to diversify the economy. We are engaging with the Minerals Council on a quarterly basis in unlocking job creation opportunities.”
She noted that mining contributes 17 percent to the Northern Cape’s gross domestic product.
“We don’t have a specific budget to assist these workers but we are mobilising the private sector and will request private mining companies to assist.”
Blennies-Magage added that provincial government, like the DMPR, was a regulator of the mining sector.
“We see ourselves as a role player in unlocking opportunities in the mining sector, rather than taking over the mining industry through a provincial state-owned mining company.
“The private sector is best suited for this.”
Both DMPR and provincial government extended their thoughts and prayers to the families of the affected employees as rescue efforts continue.
Meanwhile, members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa gathered outside the mine, stating they had not received their outstanding February salaries.
Workers said provincial government had “failed them”.
“Great efforts were made to rescue illegal miners who were trapped underground. Why are the same action being applied to rescue the ones who contribute towards the economy? This is a disaster, government should release emergency funds to assist us.”
Ross Henderson, head of the legal unit of the Northern Cape Civic Organisation, called for a forensic investigation into the liquidation of Ekapa Minerals as well as a criminal investigation into the mining accident.
"I am willing to assist employees on a pro bono basis in getting what is due to them," he advised.