Stilfontein's dangerous and desperate illegal mining industry
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President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Stilfontein mine is a “crime scene” where the offence of illegal mining is being committed. According to Ramaphosa, illegal mining has caused a great deal of anger and anguish in communities and government will continue to work towards a “peaceful” resolution of the stand-off in Stilfontein where hundreds of zama-zamas remain underground. Meanwhile the retrieval operation of illegal miners at shaft 11 continues and Stilfontein residents say they are concerned that they are no longer part of rescue operations at the shaft 11 abandoned gold mine. Police confirmed that the community were prevented from entering the site as it is a crime scene. The community previously helped retrieve miners using a rope in a labour intensive process. We discuss what is unfolding at the mine with 'Collen' an illegal miner who has managed to resurface, community leader near the mine, Johannes Qankase, Advocate Mametlwe Sebei from Lawyers for Human Rights and mining expert, David van Wyk