A four-year wait to retrieve three bodies trapped in a container underground could be over if a buyer for the mine is found

The ground swallowed 90 people, but three died in the tragedy and their bodies were not found

There is a new bid to rescue the operation, but creditors have run out of patience

Here are just a few of the post-Marikana incidents that have significantly impacted on miners’ lives.

Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane’s comments and union demands are threatening the livelihoods of 900 workers.

Lily Mine has been thrown a lifeline and can reopen, but won’t be able to recover the bodies of three missing miners and to compensate their families.

Management remains committed to honouring the payouts in the wake of the accident but says what is owed to miners must be settled first.

A mine rescue drill similar to one that had been used to rescue Chilean miners in 2010 is reportedly on its way to assist those trapped.

Efforts to rescue the trapped miners are at a standstill and their relatives feel that more than physical means are necessary to get them out.

The mission to rescue three trapped miners can only continue once geological experts have given the go-ahead.