Death Trap

“The threat of illegal miners being buried alive in dark, dank tunnels of disused coal mines near Ermelo is real. It’s only a matter of time before a tragedy occurs.”

This is the view a local farmer, Mr Thomas Opperman, who farms near the Ermelo Golf Course, north of Ermelo.

To illustrate his concerns, Mr Opperman invited members of the local police, a representative of the Msukaligwa Disaster Management and a Highvelder journalist to accompany him on a fact-finding mission to a disused coal mine near the golf course.

From the outset it was clear that the “miners” were indeed placing their lives at risk by crawling into the numerous tunnels that have been excavated in the rock face over the past years.

“This might not have posed a serious threat a few years ago, but now, as the available coal resources become scarcer and the tunnels become longer and deeper, the people are becoming less cautious in their efforts to get to the coal. Natural support pillars that were left by previous illegal miners are now being chipped away and distances between the pillars are becoming further and further apart, which causes rockfalls,” explained Mr Opperman.

This was evident upon entering some of the many caves and tunnels that abound in the area. Apart from water constantly dripping from the overhead rocks, causing treacherous conditions underfoot, slabs of rock from previous rockfalls litter cave floors and tunnels. Where some tunnels were blocked, rocks have been removed to create small openings through which the miners crawl

“The possibility of being overcome by methane gas or even causing an explosion is very real indeed, as they use motor car batteries to provide light. A spark can cause a major disaster,” said Mr Opperman.

The tunnels also provide a “safe” place for thieves to store stolen goods. This was evident when parts of a motorcar were discovered in an underground “chop shop”.

On the hilltop above the tunnels, subsidences can be seen at numerous places where thickets of trees have been all but swallowed. This does not, however, deter the miners, as they use the subsidences to gain entry to the tunnels by crawling in between the fallen rocks.

“There are other problems caused by the influx of illegal miners to the area. Golfers fear they may be robbed while on the course, and cables, steel pipes and other usable articles constantly disappear from smallholdings and farms in the area,” said Mr Opperman. He stressed that the major concern was the possible loss of lives, as there are women and even children who accompany the men into the tunnels.

“If a disaster were to occur, it would present the authorities with a major rescue operation and many hours of wasted manpower because I don’t believe the tunnels are mapped out. The rescuers would most likely not know where and how deep to drill air holes and rescue shafts. Something must be done to warn the miners of the dangers and remove them from the mines. This is a classic case where prevention is better than cure,” he added.

A meeting will be held between the Msukaligwa Disaster Management, the Police and other role players to discuss the way forward and find a possible solution.