A few illegal miners, mining for coal in an open field along South Main Reef Road, New Era, discovered that one of their fellow miners went missing on Tuesday.
According to SAPS spokesman Amanda Greybe, the illegal miners started looking for him when he didn’t pitch up to join the other members of the group on Wednesday morning.
The illegal mining group contacted the Springs police to inform them of the disappearance of their accomplice, and where he was last seen digging for coal.
Greybe says when the police team arrived at the scene they inspected the area and started digging for the missing man.
While digging they came across the man’s legs and called on the DEMS for assistance in retrieving the body.
The group of illegal miners, including the deceased, went to the site daily to mine for coal.
The deceased was allegedly busy digging a trench when it caved in on him, without the knowledge of the other members of the group.
The body was buried in the ground for two days before it was discovered.
Greybe adds that the deceased’s name and age is unknown.
