KIMBERLEY is facing one of the darkest chapters in its mining history after Ekapa Minerals confirmed five missing miners are now presumed dead and applied for liquidation, halting salaries and closing the historic Du Toitspan mine.
In a media statement issued on Wednesday, February 25, Ekapa Resources and Ekapa Minerals confirmed with deep regret that five miners who went missing following a catastrophic underground water flood and mud rush on February 17 remain unaccounted for and are now presumed deceased.
The disaster struck at approximately 00:55 at the 890 metre level of the Du Toitspan Joint Shaft, the lowest mining level of the operation. A sudden surge of water, mud, and rock inundated the newly developed underground area within…