MORE zama zamas continue to die in abandoned mines around Mzansi.
They go underground to make a living in dangerous working conditions.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy revealed that 31 illegal miners died at a Virginia mine in the Free State, and their bodies are still trapped underground.
According to the department, the group died on 18 May in a ventilation shaft that was last operational in the 1990s.
In a statement, the department said they were alerted by Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the deaths of the suspected illegal miners.
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"Although the information on this tragic situation comes sporadically, we are doing our utmost best to act on the information, including information regarding three (3) bodies which have been reported to be retrieved and brought to the surface by other illegal miners,” said the department.
The department revealed that working in collaboration with the previous owners of the mine, they have assessed the situation and determined that methane levels at the mine ventilation shaft 5 are very high.
They said it was too risky to send a search team to the shaft.
“We are considering various options to speedily deal with the situation. Although this is a unique and strange situation, all relevant stakeholders will endeavour to ensure that the suspected deceased illegal miners are brought to the surface,” added the department.
