Rescue operations are continuing around the clock at Ekapa Minerals’ Joint Shaft Mine in Kimberley, where five mineworkers have been trapped approximately 890 meters underground following a mud rush incident in the early hours of Tuesday. The workers, believed to be contractors operating in Tunnel 6, have had no communication with surface teams since the event, raising growing concerns among families, colleagues, and the local community.
Ekapa Minerals confirmed in a mid-morning update that specialist crews from Mines Rescue Services have been deployed to assist on-site teams in clearing the massive influx of mud and water that is severely hampering access to the affected area. “The sheer amount of mud and water is making rescue efforts extremely challenging,” said Ekapa’s managing director, Howard Marsen, in a statement to media outlets. The company emphasized that despite precautionary measures taken to mitigate underground risks, the mud rush came as an unexpected occurrence.
The Minerals Council South Africa announced on Wednesday that it is dispatching a senior management team to the site to provide support to Ekapa’s leadership, coordinate with rescue operations, and offer assistance to the affected families. Council CEO Mzila Mthenjane stated, “Finding the five people who are reported missing in the mud rush is the priority. Once the rescue operation is concluded, lessons learnt will be shared across the industry to ensure we prevent such incidents in future.” The team includes modernisation and safety senior executive Sietse van der Woude and safety and sustainable development head Dushendra Naidoo, who will engage directly with mine management, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) inspectors, and organized labor representatives already on the ground.
Government officials from the DMRE are conducting on-site inspections, while unions such as the National Union of Mineworkers have urged a thorough probe into the mine’s safety protocols and the root cause of the mud rush. No fatalities have been confirmed, but with over 30 hours elapsed since the incident, fears are mounting for the miners’ well-being.
In Kimberley, the community has rallied in support, organizing prayer vigils and launching social media campaigns to express solidarity and hope for a safe rescue. Local residents and mining families are gathering near the mine entrance, awaiting any positive developments.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in South Africa’s mining sector, particularly in diamond operations like Ekapa’s, where underground conditions can pose significant hazards. Updates are expected as rescue efforts progress, with all parties focused on a swift and safe resolution.