Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources conducted a high-stakes oversight visit to Ekapa Mine on Tuesday 10 March, following the tragic mud rush incident on 17 February that left five workers trapped underground.

The visit came at a sombre moment, just one day after recovery teams located the body of one of the missing miners.

Committee chairperson Mikateko Mahlaule urged mine management to continue “around the clock” efforts to recover the four miners who remain missing.

Retrieval of missing miners remain operational priority

During the briefing, Ekapa Minerals mine manager Howard Marsden detailed the scale of the rescue operation at the 890-metre level of the Du Toitspan Joint Shaft, where a sudden “water flood and mud rush” inundated the working area.

“I would first like to acknowledge the profound tragedy. Our thoughts remain with the families, colleagues and loved ones of the five miners who were lost in this incident.

“We recognise the seriousness of the questions surrounding this event, and Ekapa is fully committed to cooperating with the committee, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, and all relevant investigative processes to ensure that the circumstances of the incident are properly understood.

“Our immediate priority since the incident has been the safe recovery operation and supporting the affected families, and we remain committed to conducting ourselves transparently and responsibly throughout this process,” Marsden said.

ALSO READ: Unions outraged as Ekapa Mine enters liquidation with five miners still trapped underground

The company reported that, as of 10 March, recovery teams have pumped more than 37 500 cubic metres of water, completed 233 metres of life-support drilling, and removed nearly 1 000 scoops of mud and debris.

Ekapa maintained that the safety of recovery teams and the retrieval of the missing miners remain their primary operational priorities, even as the company faces total financial collapse.

‘Should have pursued business rescue rather than liquidation’

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) presented a starkly different perspective to the committee, condemning the company’s decision to move for provisional liquidation on 3 March while workers were still missing underground.

Numsa described the move as a “callous disregard” for the workforce and the grieving families.

The union’s presentation highlighted a growing humanitarian crisis among the mine’s 1 200 employees. Numsa claimed that workers have not received February salaries and that some have been without pay for five months.

Contrary to the mine’s claims of providing counselling and liaison services, the union alleged that the families of the trapped workers have received no financial support during this period.

Numsa argued that the company should have pursued business rescue rather than liquidation to safeguard jobs, a proposal they say the company rejected.

Call for comprehensive investigation

Ekapa defended its financial position by citing a “perfect storm” in the global diamond market, including a significant decline in natural diamond prices, competition from synthetic stones, and failed attempts to raise capital or secure government relief.

The company is currently awaiting the appointment of provisional liquidators to oversee its assets.

The Portfolio Committee expressed deep concern regarding the financial impact on workers and their families.

Mahlaule implored authorities to ensure that all workers’ rights are protected during the legal proceedings.

The committee further called for a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the flood and a broader review of safety protocols across the South African mining sector to prevent similar tragedies.