15:10
All rescue operations have been stopped for the time being after this morning’s collapse. Operations will only continue once the mine has been secured again.
13:30
Various religious leaders also visited the Lily Mine today asking for God’s intervention. It was also announced that each of the 75 miners who were inside the mine last Friday would receive R50 000 each as compensation, while the families of the three missing miners will receive R200 000 from the government.
11:00
The premier, Mr David Mabuza and a delegation of MECs visited Lily Mine this morning where relatives of the three miners still trapped in a container in the sinkhole at Lily Mine were addressed and comforted. A very touching prayer by trapped miner Ms Yvonne Mnisi’s father, Past Elmon Themba Mnisi was also made.
For the first time the media was allowed to enter the mine premises this morning.
Morning of day nine in photos
10:00
Members of the media including Lowveld Media’s Anchen Coetzee and photographer Nicolene Olckers have now been granted access to the mine premises. However, it is said that mining minister Mr Mosebenzi Zwane will no longer be coming. Instead, MECs for local governance are said to be on their way.
This is what the media is currently seeing:
07:00
LOW’S CREEK – It’s day nine of a challenging rescue operation which has in the course of a week managed to grab the world’s attention.
Lowveld Media received confirmation from a trusted source that there was a collapse during the night. However, according the source, everything is under control and no one was injured. “Everything is going ahead as planned”.
Video: On the edge of the giant sinkhole, the entrance to the mine after the collapse during the night.
Video: Plastic cool drink bottles in the cracked ground to indicate if there’s a shift or movement in the ground at Lily Mine.
Since very early today it has been a hive of activity outside the mine with vehicles coming and going, presumably in preparation for the minister of mining Mr Mosebenzi Zwane and the premier, Mr David Mabuza’s visit. They are expected to arrive after 09:00. For the first time in over a week it is reported that the media will be allowed inside.
Mine management refrained to give an update by the time of publishing this morning.
CEO of Lily Mine, Mr Mike McChesney yesterday shared footage of the sinkhole and rescue teams working underground.
Video: Rescue operations outside and inside Lily Mine
Yesterday (day eight) was a quiet day outside the gates of Lily Mine without regular updates. A source from inside described the scene as very quiet and sombre. “You can hear a pin drop,” he said.
Two containers was erected as washrooms for for the relatives at the scene.
After Begg’s appeal for assistance from the community, vehicles from various businesses in Barberton and Mbombela visited the site throughout the day, delivering food and water for those waiting for news of their relatives.
More about the Lily Mine disaster: Day 8 of Lily Mine diaster
