Investigation launched into trapped workers at South African mine

On 20 February 2026, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MPR), Gwede Mantashe, conducted an oversight visit to the Ekapa Mine.

He was accompanied by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul and the Executive Mayor of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Marths Bartlett. 

A mudslide has trapped five workers 890 meters underground in Tunnel 6 at Ekapa Mine. The incident occurred on Wednesday, 17 February 2026.

The incident occurred during the processing of diamond-bearing gravel when a surge of wet soil and debris, possibly caused by recent heavy rains, flooded the tunnel.

Rescue teams have been working since Thursday, 18 February, but communication with the trapped individuals has not yet been established.

Mantashe received a brief regarding the ongoing rescue operations. All operations at the Joint Shaft Mine have been suspended. 

Mine management views the 24-hour rescue operation as the immediate priority. Rescue efforts will continue until the five employees are located and brought to safety. 

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) will conduct a formal investigation in line with the Mine Health and Safety Act. 

“It would be remiss of us to speculate on the cause of the incident at this stage. However, we will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to establish all the facts surrounding the accident,” Mantashe said. 

He informed the media that the investigation’s findings will determine future decisions and the necessary interventions. 

The Chief Inspector of Mines, David Msiza, will remain on site to monitor and support rescue efforts until the operation is concluded. 

The government commends the mining companies that have made their rescue teams available to aid in the ongoing rescue operations. 

Minerals Council South Africa has deployed their senior rescue team to support the mission at Ekapa Mines. 

The Minister and Premier have instructed mine management to ensure continual communication with the families and provide the necessary support resources. 

Since the incident, the workers’ families have not received any communication from mine management.

Maritsa Coetzee, the spouse of one of the trapped workers, voiced her disappointment with how mine management is handling the situation. 

“The mine bosses are stonewalling us. We haven’t received any clear updates or answers. Every time we try to follow up, we are met with rudeness and arrogance,” she said. 

Mining safety protocol under scrutiny

The incident at Ekapa Mines has reignited concerns and criticism about mining safety standards and the enforcement of safety protocols. 

Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) representative Krister Janse van Rensburg said these incidents are not the result of natural disasters but of engineering shortcomings. 

AMCU General Secretary Jeff Mphalhele labelled the mudslide an engineering failure and said Ekapa Mines is to blame for ignoring signs of tunnel instability. “An accident underground is never merely an accident,” he said. 

Janse van Rensburg still cautions about drawing premature conclusions while investigations are still ongoing.

As of now, details surrounding the incident remain limited as Ekaps has released little information and advised family members not to speak to the media. 

Janse van Remsburg and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) criticised the company’s silence at a time where transparent communication is critical. 

The mine has not issued a direct response to the claims of engineering shortcomings or responded to the mining unions’ questions. 

During his visit, Mantashe shared that in 2025, a total of 41 deaths in the mining industry were recorded. 

He explained that per the Minerals Council of South Africa’s standards, a mining accident that takes more than four lives is declared a disaster. 

“I don’t want to make a presumption of death, but since the workers have not yet been recovered, this is declared a disaster. We are starting this year with a disaster, which is a bad sign for the industry,” he said. 

As part of their investigation, the DMPR wants to determine whether Ekapa Mines’ infrastructure was compliant with the Safety Management System. 

Members of the Parliament Portfolio Committee have questioned the infrastructure’s ability to withstand seismic and water-related risks. 

This article was written by Zané Steyn.