Archive · 11 Aug 2026
South Africa mine collapse kills 14 artisanal miners, injures 8
A big hole in the ground in South Africa fell in on people who were digging for gold and platinum.
These people are called artisanal miners, and they were digging without permission.
The walls of the mine suddenly caved in at night.
At least 14 miners died and 8 were hurt.
Police are still looking to see if anyone else is trapped.
They are using rescue dogs and special equipment to help.
Some of the hurt miners were taken to a hospital.
After getting help, three of them were arrested for digging without permission.
Police say most of the miners who died came from a neighboring country called Lesotho.
The government is trying to stop illegal mining because it is dangerous and causes big problems.
At least 14 artisanal miners died and eight were injured when a mine caved in Monday night near Rustenburg, South Africa.
Police, led by North West provincial commissioner Lt Gen Arthur Adams, said a search was ongoing, with sniffer dogs and specialized equipment deployed.
Three injured miners were released from hospital and arrested on suspicion of illegal mining; five others remained hospitalized under police guard.
Most of the miners who died appeared to be nationals of neighboring Lesotho, according to police.
The collapse follows a late-2024 gold mine standoff in which more than 80 miners died and a yearlong military operation targeting illegal mining launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- Who
- At least 14 artisanal (illegal) miners who died, most apparently nationals of Lesotho; police led by North West provincial commissioner Lt Gen Arthur Adams are responding.
- What
- A mine caved in on the miners, killing 14 and injuring 8, with a search ongoing for any others trapped underground.
- When
- Monday night, with police reporting the deaths on Tuesday.
- Where
- Near Rustenburg, a platinum mining hub about 130 km (80 miles) northwest of Johannesburg in South Africa's North West province.
- Why
- The miners were operating illicitly in disused or hand-dug mines without proper safety equipment; illegal mining is widespread in South Africa and tied to criminal syndicates.
- Deaths
- At least 14
- Injured
- 8 (3 released and arrested; 5 hospitalized under police guard)
- Location
- Near Rustenburg, North West province, South Africa
- Distance from Johannesburg
- About 130 km (80 miles) northwest
- Timing
- Cave-in Monday night; reported Tuesday
- Nationality of most deceased
- Lesotho
- Prior major disaster
- Late 2024 gold mine standoff; more than 80 miners died
- Government response
- Yearlong military operation against organized crime, including illegal mining, ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa