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| SA illegal mine collapse traps many | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Scores of illegal miners are feared trapped in an abandoned gold shaft near Johannesburg, South African emergency officials say. | Scores of illegal miners are feared trapped in an abandoned gold shaft near Johannesburg, South African emergency officials say. |
| Emergency services told the BBC that they were communicating with a group of 30 miners trapped near the top of the mine by fallen boulders. | |
| Those miners have told them that there may be 200 more people trapped below. | |
| The miners are believed to have been trapped since Saturday morning but there no reports of any injuries yet. | |
| Authorities suspect the mine, near the town of Benoni, was an illegal operation. | Authorities suspect the mine, near the town of Benoni, was an illegal operation. |
| Werner Vermaak of ER24 emergency services said the mine was in the middle of a public field and was not blocked off. | |
| He told the BBC that police were patrolling the area on Sunday morning when they heard cries for help coming from underground. | |
| Mr Vermaak said that rescue services would shortly attempt to rescue the first group of miners trapped near the surface. | |
| It is likely that they will be taken into custody by the police when they emerge. | |
| "They will have to be assessed medically," said Mr Vermaak. "From there on they will be handed over to police. And the police have a large truck here". | |
| Authorities say heavy equipment is being brought in to try to remove the boulders blocking the mine shaft. | Authorities say heavy equipment is being brought in to try to remove the boulders blocking the mine shaft. |
| Rescue workers are trying to enlarge a hole in the side of the shaft in order to lift the miners out. | |
| Safety concerns | Safety concerns |
| Mining is a vital part of the South African economy and the country is the fourth-biggest gold exporter. | Mining is a vital part of the South African economy and the country is the fourth-biggest gold exporter. |
| According to South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources, a 2008 study of the gold sector found that an estimated $509m (£309m) in revenue was lost a year as a result of illegal mining. | According to South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources, a 2008 study of the gold sector found that an estimated $509m (£309m) in revenue was lost a year as a result of illegal mining. |
| South Africa has some of the world's deepest gold mines and safety is a major issue. | |
| In recent years the majority of deaths underground have occurred in illegal mines. | In recent years the majority of deaths underground have occurred in illegal mines. |
| Earlier this month nine South African miners died in three different incidents at various legal gold mines operated by the Harmony gold company. | Earlier this month nine South African miners died in three different incidents at various legal gold mines operated by the Harmony gold company. |
| At least 82 men died in a fire at a Harmony gold mine in 2009. | At least 82 men died in a fire at a Harmony gold mine in 2009. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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