The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) on Sunday called for safety at the Lily Mine in the Nkomazi area in Mpumalanga to be re-evaluated following another collapse and temporary suspension of rescue efforts.  

"Though the Saturday collapse has set back the rescue team's race against time and minimised survival chances of the three miners that are still trapped underground in a container, we have not lost hope of a successful rescue," national spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu said.

Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyarende and Yvonne Mnisi have been trapped in the mine since 08:40 on Friday, February 5, when the lamp room - a converted shipping container - where they were on duty, collapsed into an 80m hole.

Mahlangu said that communities across the country shared the hope and anxiety of the families and miners at Lily Mine that are distraught.

"We are with the Mnisi, Mazibuko and Nyerende families in our prayers and trust that the emotional and psychological support they are receiving will assist them to cope with the traumatic experience," he said.

He welcomed the commitment that additional mining experts and specialised equipment will be mobilised for renewed rescue efforts.

News24