Rescuers have yet to retrieve any of up to 40 miners missing since an illegal gold pit collapsed in Ghana last week, and hopes are fading for any survivors, authorities at the scene said on Thursday.
One week after the pit collapsed at Nyanfoman-Noyem in the eastern region of Ghana, rescuers are still pondering how to reach the bottom of the pit. They are also wondering how many people were actually trapped when the pit caved in.
The rescue teams, which have been hampered by lack of adequate equipment and are proceeding cautiously so as not to endanger the lives of the rescuers, also face the hostile attitude of other illegal miners who do not want them to know about their trade.
Seth Annan, leader of one of the rescue teams, said the collapsed area contained four pits that could accommodate between five and six people each, and he estimated the number of people who must have been trapped at a minimum of 24.
Police said they have arrested two people who are said to be owners of the illegal pit, because they do not have a licence to operate a mine.
United States mining giant Newmont Mining Ghana, owner of the concession on which the illegal miners are trapped, said on Wednesday there are no plans to call off the rescue exercise.
Mawuena Dumor, communications manager of Newmont, said: ”The humanitarian effort is still ongoing. The only person who can call off the exercise is the mines inspector at the site, and as far as I know, no decision has been taken to call off the rescue efforts.” — Sapa-DPA