Meet Mannas Fourie: The leader behind the rescue of 246 Stilfontein zama-zamas destined to return

Loading player...
Mines Rescue Services (MRS), under the leadership of Mannas Fourie, recently saved 246 illegal miners (zama-zamas) who were trapped in an abandoned mineshaft in Stilfontein, South Africa. The rescue operation was preceded by a tense standoff with authorities before MRS received the go-ahead. In an interview with Biznews, Fourie detailed the operation’s challenges, which included adverse weather, the maneuvering of heavy equipment, and the retrieval of miners from a depth of 1,280 metres, necessitating a specialised mobile rescue winder capable of operating in deep vertical shafts up to 3,000 metres. Fourie emphasised that MRS does not discriminate between legal and illegal miners in need of rescue; when lives are at stake, their passion to save lives takes precedence, even at the risk of their own safety. He also highlighted South Africa’s world-leading expertise in deep mining rescues and noted that, despite the dangers and rescue efforts, the zama-zamas are likely to return, driven by high-grade mineral deposits that remain and because there is money to be made.
23 Jan 9AM English South Africa Investing · Business News

Other recent episodes

Meet Prince Mashele - Integris, Independent; Antidote to confusion-wracked SA

The emergence of public intellectual Prince Mashele as a voice of reason continues gathering momentum. A voracious reader and writer his assessment on political developments are prized both locally and abroad. He spent an hour with BizNews editor Alec Hogg unpacking matters of a personal and professional nature. The result…
13 Feb 7AM 1 hour

Sean Peche - Good for SA for standing up to the playground bully

UK-based Ranmore funds founder Sean Peche takes a contrarian approach to the ‘Black Swan’ event threatening the South African economy, applauding the country for holding the line against US President Donald Trump. Likening Trump to former SA President Jacob Zuma, he predicts nothing but misery for Americans as a result…
12 Feb 9AM 22 min