By Kitab Unango, SSMJ Juba, Tuesday (November 12, 2024) - In a devastating reminder of the risks that come with informal mining, ten miners tragically lost their lives last week in Kapoeta South County, Eastern Equatoria State, after a gold mine in Nakiki Village collapsed due to heavy rainfall. Local authorities report that rescue teams have recovered five bodies, while the remaining five are still trapped deep underground in a pit estimated to be around 8 to 9 meters. The accident has shocked
By Kitab Unango, SSMJ
Juba, Tuesday (November 12, 2024) - In a devastating reminder of the risks that come with informal mining, ten miners tragically lost their lives last week in Kapoeta South County, Eastern Equatoria State, after a gold mine in Nakiki Village collapsed due to heavy rainfall.
Local authorities report that rescue teams have recovered five bodies, while the remaining five are still trapped deep underground in a pit estimated to be around 8 to 9 meters.
The accident has shocked the local community and brought renewed attention to the dangers faced by those mining without formal safety regulations in place.
The disaster unfolded last Wednesday, around 5 p.m., when the walls of the mine, weakened by days of torrential rain, suddenly gave way, burying the miners inside.
“Our people here are locally mining gold from underground, excavating holes up to 7 or 8 meters deep. Last Wednesday, one of these mines collapsed on a group of people,” said Juma Justine, executive director of Kapoeta South County.
“Three injured miners were brought to the hospital, and one was in critical condition. Sadly, ten miners lost their lives, and we have only managed to recover five bodies so far.” Mr. Justine said.
The accident has left an indelible mark on the community, which relies heavily on small-scale, unregulated mining for income.
This marks the second time this year that a mine collapse in Kapoeta has claimed lives. In March, a similar accident took place in the nearby Naknak area, killing seven miners.
The cumulative toll of fatalities now stands at 14 over the past year alone, highlighting the recurring dangers that miners face in this region.
After the mine collapse, local responders and family members rushed to the scene to attempt a rescue, but their efforts were limited by the lack of proper excavation equipment.
Rain-soaked soil weakened the pit, posing risks to those attempting to dig deeper, leading to the recovery of only five bodies.
Three injured miners, who survived the collapse, were immediately taken to Kapoeta Civil Hospital.
Dr. John Isaac, the hospital’s medical director, shared an update on their condition, saying:
“We received them about two days ago. Their injuries range from minor to moderate, but they are improving, and there is no need to refer them for further treatment.”
While the survivors' recovery offers a small note of relief, the community remains deeply shaken as many of those involved in rescue efforts are grieving for lost friends and family members, forced to confront the dangerous reality of their livelihoods.
As locals await news about the remaining bodies, the tragic event continues to cast a shadow over Nakiki Village, where mining remains one of the few ways to make a living.
The informal mining sector in Kapoeta operates with minimal oversight or regulation, using simple tools to dig in narrow shafts that reach significant depths, often without reinforcement. Driven by economic need, they continue their work despite the known dangers.
For many in Kapoeta South, mining represents a means of survival, albeit one that frequently comes with life-threatening risks.
Without regulations or safety protocols, miners face a daily gamble, where each shift might bring fortune or fatality.
This latest incident reflects an ongoing pattern where small-scale mining practices carry risks not only from collapses but also from long-term health impacts due to exposure to dust and heavy metals.
Over time, these unregulated practices lead to recurring tragedies like the one in Nakiki, where a lack of safety standards and proper training has left miners vulnerable to fatal accidents.
In the wake of this recent tragedy, local civil society groups are once again urging government intervention. Juma Tigol, coordinator of the Civil Society Network in Greater Kapoeta, expressed frustration over the lack of action despite repeated accidents.
“Such incidents of mines collapsing have happened several times, and many people have died,” Tigol remarked. “The government should devise means for best mining practices and enlighten the communities on how to mine safely. The miners need to be trained in safe practices.”
For Tigol and other advocates, addressing the safety of informal miners is long overdue. They emphasize the need for government-backed programs that educate miners on safer techniques and provide essential safety equipment.
Tigol’s call for government involvement includes proposals for community training initiatives that could help miners learn about structural reinforcement, safer excavation methods, and emergency preparedness.
Local officials have echoed these calls, arguing that the growing number of incidents reflects the urgency of introducing training programs and better safety infrastructure.
They highlight the need for basic protective equipment and structural reinforcements to prevent soil from caving in, especially during rainy seasons. For many in Nakiki Village and other communities like it, proper safety measures could be the difference between life and death.
The tragedy in Nakiki is not an isolated event but part of a broader challenge facing South Sudan’s informal mining sector.