Boipelo Mere
The situation remains tense at Ekapa Mine’s Joint Shaft, in Kimberley, after a mud rush 890m underground on 17 February 2026, trapping five miners.
In a media statement, Ekapa Mine confirmed that search and rescue operations are ongoing and families of the trapped miners are being briefed and supported.
According to Ekapa, the trapped miners are contractors and remain unaccounted for as there is no communication with them.
General Mine Manager, Howard Marsden explained that a mud rush is a technical process, whereby water and mud mix and come out unexpectedly, a crisis they have been aware of, but tried to mitigate its risks over the years.
Ekapa pointed out that Specialists proto teams from Mines Rescue Services(MRS) have been mobilized and are currently assisting the on-mine proto team with ongoing rescue, search and support operations.
“Extensive drilling and dewatering activities, under challenging conditions, are underway as part of the rescue strategy, and all efforts are being coordinated under established emergency response protocols, with the safety of rescue personnel remaining a priority at all times,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, a group of former Ekapa mine employees gathered outside the mine in support of the families of their former colleagues.
The supportive group consists of miners who were laid off by Ekapa Mine in 2025 and dismissed after participating in a strike.
They were also eagerly awaiting answers on the way forward.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) expressed concern after learning that workers at the affected mine are required to report for duty during a crisis.
Numsa Kimberley Secretary, Tshimologo Mahase, called for transparency from the mine to avoid a repeat of the 2016 mine rush, during which it took the mine 6 months to clear all the mud.
“By the grace of God, there were no people involved, except a machine that was destroyed.
I just hope those trapped employees are still alive because rescue teams were roped in, including additional material from other mines to assist,” said Mahase.
Elaborating on the risks at hand, Numsa called for the Joint Shaft closure and allow Wesselton mine to operate.
“This shaft should close because it is old. The mine should shy away from the fact that it produces a lot of Diamonds and focus on the lives it puts at risk.
They should concentrate on Wesselton because it’s rock surface.
She called on the community to go to the site in numbers and display their concerns, and force management to communicate properly, and see what is at stake.
“It’s clear that it is business as usual at all the shafts as if nothing has happened, and the workers reported for duty even though they did not go underground at the affected shaft.”
Sol Plaatje municipality called for a display of solidarity and compassion towards the 5 trapped miners and their families.
Municipal spokesperson Thabo Mothibi said the Sol Plaatje Emergency Services A-Shift responded effectively to the scene following the mud rush emergency call.
“A total of four emergency vehicles, staffed by 11 personnel, including a Safety Officer, were mobilised and responded without delay,” said Mothibi.
The Dept of Minerals and Petrolium has confirmed that Minister Gwede Mantashe will visit Ekapa today.
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