THE Lily Mine disaster was caused by extensive illegal mining activities around the mine at the time when the mine collapsed.
These were the findings of the inquest established to determine who is liable for the 2016 incident where three mine workers disappeared.
Pretty Nkambule (22), Solomon Nyirenda (37) and Yvonne Mnisi (30) were last seen inside a lamp room before it sank underground when the mine collapsed seven years ago.
Magistrate Annamarie Van Der Merwe told the Nelspruit Magistrates Court on Thursday, 19 October, that all the documents and evidence presented to the court show that the mine management was aware of the problem of illegal mining.
She said the management attempted to address the issue through private security and involved the police and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
"The mining activities of the illegal miners inside the crown pillar had hollowed the crown pillar and weakened its infrastructure. The weakened structure of the crown pillar was no longer able to withstand the forces the original solid structure was designed to withstand.
"The hollowed-out and weakened crown pillar structure caned into itself and gave way," she said.
Going through some of the evidence in court during the inquest, the magistrate said a witness called Mr X testified that Nyirenda assisted illegal miners by issuing lamps and underground equipment belonging to legal mine workers, who were on leave at the time.
The witness said zama zamas paid up to R1000 per person.
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She said the witness indicated that the Zama Zamas were interested in the crown pillar, which contained substantial quantities of visible gold.
Van Der Merwe lashed the police and the Department of Mineral Resources for failing to address the issue of illegal miners.
She said the evidence showed that the police were of very little assistance.
"Illegal miners at the Lily Mine are creating an environment harmful to the health and well-being of a community at large through the causing of ecological degradation. The court is satisfied that the illegal mining activities at the Lily Mine at the time of the incident were infringing on the rights of the community to have their environment protected,” she said.
The court also confirmed that the deaths of the three mine workers happened on the same day as the incident.
"The sheer weight of the rocks and debris during the mine collapse had caused their instant death," Van Der Merwe said.
The Mine owner, Michael McChesney, said: "The zama zamas were prevalent. It's a scourge in the entire country, certainly in Barberton. The fact that we have closure on that is very good," he said.
Meanwhile, the families welcomed the findings.
Sfiso Mavuso said they believe the matter will be resolved.
"What is left now is the prosecution of the people who are responsible for the collapse of the mine. We accept that the court has found out that our loved ones are no more," he said.
The court stated that the findings of the deaths would be submitted to the high court for review.
