Stilfontein rescue operation called off

By Thapelo Molefe

Rescue operations at the abandoned Stilfontein mine, where hundreds of illegal miners were trapped, have come to an end after no further signs of life were detected on Thursday.

Since Monday, 246 miners have been rescued and 78 bodies retrieved from the North West mine.

Mine Rescue Services CEO Mannas Fourie confirmed that a final sweep of the shafts found no additional survivors or bodies in shaft 11.

“Last night, we came out with the last cage and confirmed that all the people have been taken out,” said Fourie.

“This morning, we conducted a final sweep to ensure no one who may have been unaware of the operation remained underground, but no signs of movement or life were detected.”

Advanced equipment, including cameras and sound detectors, were used to survey the mine, reaching depths of over 2100m. Fourie reported that the only visible remnants were discarded miners’ cap