Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has raised concern about the lack of security at the Gloria Coal Mine in Middelburg in Mpumalanga which he feels led to the illegal miners gaining entry to the facility and becoming trapped.
The people were allegedly trying to steal copper cables when they became trapped. At least 12 people died. A number of bodies are believed to still be trapped in the mine. The minister says the mine should beef up its security.
Mantashe says the mine should also find a way of retrieving the trapped people. The rescue operation has been halted following the bad weather conditions and toxic gas in the mine shaft.
Assessing the situation at the #GloriaMine with officials of the @DMR_SA, members of the SAPS, members of the media & management of the mine pic.twitter.com/bpj1FrsZLw
— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) February 15, 2019
Today, I visited the #GloriaMine to give support to the @DMR_SA officials who have been at the mine from the beginning. They have done well. They kept us updated on all processes pic.twitter.com/3gRw0oOjEu
— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) February 15, 2019
Mining companies should tighten security at their operations in order to address the issue of illegal miners & cable theft #GloriaMine @DMR_SA pic.twitter.com/N0guuCp6mM
— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) February 15, 2019
We, @DMR_SA, visited the #GloriaMine today pic.twitter.com/8CQ0FRwmKY
— Gwede Mantashe (@GwedeMantashe1) February 15, 2019
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