SABC News reports that the Lily Mine Commission of Inquiry has heard that illegal mining could have caused a massive sinkhole which trapped three workers underground in 2016.  

Health and Safety Manager at the mine, Eben Swanepoel, said illegal miners had been extracting gold from rip-pillars and crown pillars, weakening the structure.  He added that acts of criminality had contributed to the possible failure of the crown pillars that led to the mine collapse from below level four of the mine shaft.  However, Richard Spoor, legal representative for the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), said the statement by Swanepoel was misleading the commission, because security was always patrolling the premises at all times.  He added that it was impossible that illegal mining had had a major role in the collapse.  The inquiry continues.

• This report is at SABC News

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