3 weeks ago
South Africa mine dump collapse kills 14 illegal miners
This story is about a very sad accident at a big pile of old mining dirt in South Africa.
Some miners were digging through the pile to find metals like platinum.
The pile of dirt suddenly collapsed, like a wet sandcastle falling down.
At least 14 miners died and 8 more were hurt.
Police and rescue teams are searching for other miners who may still be trapped.
The miners were working without official permission, which is why they are called 'illegal miners.'
Some illegal mining is run by criminal groups.
The injured miners came from a nearby country called Lesotho.
Illegal mining costs South Africa a lot of money every year.
Authorities are still trying to find out how many people are trapped and to help them.
At least 14 suspected illegal miners were killed and eight injured when a mine dump collapsed in South Africa's North West province on Monday night, police said.
The collapse occurred as the miners were digging for platinum group metals at a disused dump on a private company's site near Rustenburg.
Search and rescue operations were under way for an unknown number of people who may still be trapped at the site.
The injured miners are from the Southern African country of Lesotho, while the nationality of those killed has yet to be confirmed.
Illegal mining, ranging from small-scale theft to operations run by organised criminal networks, costs the government and mining industry hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
- Who
- At least 14 suspected illegal miners (killed) and 8 miners (injured), with provincial police commissioner Arthur Peter Adams leading the response.
- What
- A disused mine dump collapsed while suspected illegal miners were digging for platinum group metals, killing at least 14 and injuring 8.
- Where
- A disused dump on a private company's site near Rustenburg, North West province, South Africa.
- When
- Monday night, August 11.
- Why
- The miners were digging for platinum group metals at the dump, which collapsed during the operation.
Key facts
- Deaths
- At least 14 suspected illegal miners
- Injured
- 8 miners, reportedly from Lesotho
- Location
- Disused mine dump near Rustenburg, North West province, South Africa
- Date
- Monday night, August 11
- Target mineral
- Platinum group metals
- Site type
- Disused dump on a private company's property
- Search and rescue
- Ongoing; unknown number of people may still be trapped
- Cost of illegal mining
- Hundreds of millions of dollars per year in lost sales, taxes and royalties
Quotes
Arthur Peter Adams
Provincial police commissioner of North West Province
“The collapse occurred as the miners were digging for platinum group metals at a disused dump on a private company’s site.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
South Africa mine collapse kills 14 artisanal miners, injures 8
14 Illegal Miners Killed in South African Mine Rockfall
At least 14 miners killed in South Africa mine collapse
Central African Republic Closes Gold Site After Deadly Collapse
At Least 100 Killed in Central African Republic Mine Collapse
Central African Republic Gold Mine Collapse Kills At Least 30
Kuno Cheetah Nirva Found After Twelve Days Missing
India Replaces Sri Lanka as 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy Host
India Rejects AI as Author While Protecting Human-Created Copyright
England Pacers Surge in ICC Rankings After Pakistan Wins
India’s Forex Diversification Should Outlast Short-Term Dollar Pressures
