TimesLIVE reports that the rescue of at least 12 artisanal diamond miners trapped in collapsed tunnels at a diamond mine in the Northern Cape will be hazardous and difficult.

The 12 were among dozens of miners working underground at the shuttered Nuttaboy Mine on the outskirts of Springbok in Namaqualand when several handmade tunnels collapsed on Wednesday last week. The alarm was raised after a miner managed to dig his way out. Five miners are thought to have died in the incident. The mine is owned by West Coast Resources. Springbok mayor Marvin Cloete told the SABC that rescue operations were under way, but were possible only during the day for safety reasons. Den Williams of Mines Rescue Services said crews had been dispatched to the mine and they were currently investigating the incident and conducting an assessment. He explained: “You cannot risk a life to save a life. Before a rescue is launched a thorough assessment has to be conducted.” Williams added that collapsed tunnel and shaft rescues were extremely difficult. SA has 950 mine rescue specialists, located at mines across the country.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Graeme Hosken at BusinessLive

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