Mine management and Amcu president held a joint press briefing at the mine on Thursday afternoon to report back on the progress that has been made so far, and both sides said they remain hopeful.

Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Mabuza and Solomon Nyarenda were trapped underground on Friday after the lamp room container they were in fell into a sinkhole before it was covered by huge rocks.

According to media reports from the site, rescuers recovered a tyre on Thursday that was attached to the container when it collapsed and that has made them believe the rescue operations were on the right track.

The mine’s operational manager Mike Begg was quoted by EWN as saying: “[The tyre] was leaning against the foundation on which the container was standing and it has come through a small zone in the draw point in the ground, so it tells us all our assumptions up to date have been right.”

The rescuers reportedly believe that the container is probably about 10 meters away from them.

Jacaranda FM reported that management said there was a massive rock, hanging at about 10m and weighing several tonnes that was blocking their way and making it very dangerous to go in underneath as it can fall on someone.

It was also reported that the absence of signs of life at the mine has not deterred the families from losing hope as they continue to camp outside the mine praying for the safe return of their loved ones.

ANA