By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The body of one of five miners who were trapped underground at Du Toitspan Joint Shaft, Ekapa mine in Kimberly has been retrieved this afternoon.
The miners have been trapped 890m underground since a mud rush incident on Tuesday, 17 February.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, the mine says the family of the deceased has requested that the miner’s identity be withheld.
According to the mining company, more information will be made available once the identification process has been concluded.
“Formal identification processes are currently underway, and further information will be shared once these procedures have been completed and when appropriate to do so… The company extends its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of the miner during this extremely difficult time,” reads the statement reads.
The mine has committed to providing updates as the recovery operation progresses.
SA Police Services (SAPS) have confirmed they’re investigating an inquest following the incident.
“Kimberley detectives are investigating an inquest after the body of an adult male was recovered from a mine,” said Northern Cape police spokesperson Cherelle Ehlers.
The mine has applied for liquidation and stopped operations with immediate effect, leaving more than a thousand workers without work or pay.
It will be under provisional liquidation until Tuesday, 17 March, when legal proceedings continue in the High Court in Kimberley.
Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul announced assistance to families in the form of R10,000 each and R3,000 food vouchers for workers affected by the liquidation.
Saul labelled the provisional liquidation of Ekapa Minerals as “a disaster on top of a disaster”.
“They don’t know where their next meal will come from. The total cost of this commitment to try and assist these families and workers is about R3.5m.”