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Kimberley|Ekapa|Diamond Mining|Minerals Council South Africa|Dushendra Naidoo|Gwede Mantashe|Sietse Van Der Woude|Northern Cape
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kimberley|ekapa|diamond-mining|minerals-council-south-africa-organization|dushendra-naidoo|gwede-mantashe|sietse-van-der-woude|northern-cape

Mantashe to visit Ekapa mine; dewatering continues in effort to find, rescue five workers

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe

Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe

19th February 2026

By: Creamer Media Reporter

     

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Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe is planning to undertake an oversight visit to the Ekapa diamond mine, in Kimberley, in the Northern Cape, on Friday, where search and rescue efforts continue following a mud rush in the early hours of February 17.

Five mineworkers are believed to be trapped about 890 m underground.

Mantashe's visit forms part of his ongoing commitment to strengthening mine safety and supporting mineworkers. He expects to receive a comprehensive briefing from mine management and departmental inspectors about the incident and the search and rescue efforts.

The Minerals Council South Africa has also sent a senior management team, including modernisation and safety senior executive Sietse van der Woude and safety and sustainable development head Dushendra Naidoo, to offer support during the search and rescue efforts.

The mud rush occurred following heavy rains and water ingress, with pumping and dewatering efforts under way. Contact with the missing mineworkers has been lost.

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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