Collapse at disused dump in Nkaneng leaves at least 14 dead
RUSTENBURG — At least 14 suspected illegal miners died when a disused dump collapsed while men were digging for platinum group metals inside the boundaries of a site where a valid mining permit has been issued, the Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum (DMPR) confirmed.
The incident occurred on 10 August 2026 in Nkaneng, on the outskirts of Rustenburg in the North West province. Provincial police commissioner Arthur Peter Adams said the men, widely referred to as zama zamas, were working on a private company’s property when the dump gave way.
Search and rescue operations continue
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported that search and rescue operations were under way for possible survivors who might still be trapped underground. Officials also said several other people were believed to be injured and receiving medical attention.
The DMPR’s spokesperson, Lerato Ntsoko, confirmed the department had noted reports of the incident and was reviewing relevant information. She emphasised the legal status of the site.
“The DMPR confirms that the incident occurred within the boundaries of an area where a valid mining permit has been issued,” Ntsoko said. “The loss of life is deeply regrettable, and the DMPR recognises the serious impact such events have on affected communities.”
Ntsoko told the department was assessing compliance with laws governing licences and permits and working with law enforcement, the mining rights holder and communities to strengthen prevention and enforcement against illegal mining.
Site description and safety questions
The DMPR stated the area is a surface opencast mining operation and does not include an underground shaft. The collapse took place on a disused dump within the permitted surface operation, where people had been excavating for platinum group metals.
The fact the site is permitted raises questions about perimeter security, monitoring and the protection of disused infrastructure. Local residents and community leaders have long warned that unsecured dumps and abandoned works attract illegal miners, who risk their lives to recover scrap or valuable material from waste rock and tailings.
- Incident date: 10 August 2026
- Location: Nkaneng, Rustenburg
- Casualties: At least 14 dead, several injured; search and rescue ongoing
- Site status: Permitted surface opencast operation on private land
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Authority confirming facts | Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum (DMPR) |
| Police | South African Police Service (SAPS); provincial commissioner Arthur Peter Adams |
| Site type | Surface opencast, disused dump (no underground shaft) |
Wider context and community impact
The DMPR extended its deepest condolences to families, friends and communities affected by the incident. The tragedy renews a painful memory of a previous illegal mining disaster: in January 2025, 78 bodies were recovered from a disused shaft in Stilfontein, south-west of Johannesburg, where victims had been trapped underground.
For Rustenburg and surrounding settlements, the latest deaths underline persistent challenges: poverty, limited lawful employment opportunities, and the ongoing lure of platinum in tailings and waste dumps. Labour organisers and community groups have for years called for improved mine closure planning, perimeter security and targeted interventions to prevent people from entering hazardous mining areas.
Authorities said they would provide further details at an appropriate time, including matters related to compliance with applicable licensing and permit laws. Meanwhile, law enforcement, the mining rights holder and the DMPR said they would collaborate to strengthen prevention and enforcement measures against illegal mining.
The human cost, however, will be borne by families in Nkaneng and neighbouring communities. As rescue teams continue their work, residents and labour activists in Rustenburg are likely to demand clearer answers about how a permitted site came to host a deadly illegal dig, and what steps will be taken to prevent more lives being lost to the risky business of scavenging platinum from dumps.
