Grave consequences if mine continues unheeded

The ground is wet beneath their boots. The water trickles down into the hole they have dug. They trudge on through the mud and dust, their exposed skin blackened by the coal.

With the rains belting down, they know their time inside the shallow mine is short. But they need the coal. It will warm their homes tonight and feed their bellies tomorrow.

This is the reality illegal coal miners face at the illegal coal mine in Lennoxton. They are believed to have come from the Siyahlala-la area, desperate to make a bit of money.

Situated near Nightingale and Draper streets, the mine is still small in size, but the dangers it poses are vast.

Nearby, above ground stands the Newcastle Organisation for the Aged Service Centre, homes, and the newly built Draper Street extension.

Below ground are the remains of the shutdown coal mines from yesteryear, recently built shoddy tunnels and a layer of earth that can come crashing down at any time.

There is evidence of open cast mining, and the opening of tunnels can be seen. How deep these tunnels are is unknown, but the possibility of them linking up to the old mining network of tunnels in the area is high.

“We have launched an investigation into the matter. We need to assess how much damage this has already caused to the area. The danger this mine poses is vast to the people in the area. We hope that this will not continue to such an extent that it could lead to the damage of property both municipal and residential,” said Ward 3 councillor, Matthew Shunmugam.