The operation is an extension of Operation Vala Umgodi that began with the Stilfontein massacre in January, where 90 miners ...

The Stilfontein mine was being worked by thousands of desperately impoverished people when security forces moved in last summer, as part of the ANC’s Vala Umgodi (Plug the Hole) operation aimed ...

Relatives of miners and community members wait near an opening to a mine shaft in Stilfontein, in South Africa's North West province, Nov. 13, 2024. EMMANUEL CROSET/AFP/Getty ...

STILFONTEIN, South Africa (AP) — Months after South African authorities initially cut off supplies to miners working illegally in an abandoned gold mine, rescuers brought dozens of bodies and ...

STILFONTEIN, South Africa — Months after South African authorities initially cut off supplies to miners working illegally in an abandoned gold mine, rescuers brought dozens of bodies and ...

Three artisanal miners who recently emerged from abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein in North West have told the Constitutional Court about the abhorrent conditions underground. The NGO Mining ...

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his 18 November 2024 letter, called for a balanced and humane approach to resolving the crisis. “The stand-off at Stilfontein must be resolved peacefully and safely.” ...

The blockade of the mine, near Stilfontein, a town about two hours south of Johannesburg, was part of a national campaign to root out illegal miners, who are known locally as Zama Zamas.

Forensic service workers carry bodies in blue body bags during a rescue operation to rescue miners from below ground in an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.

Rescue operations continued on Wednesday for the third day in Stilfontein. A total of 132 illegal miners have been brought up to the surface, with 60 bodies retrieved.

He said the effort kicked off when family members of the illegal miners who live in Stilfontein came to the community for help when police refused to pull their loved ones out. "They are worried.

STILFONTEIN - A total of 43 dead bodies have been recovered from an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein in the past two days. The recovery of the remains of illegal miners comes as mine rescue ...