Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has urged mine management and rescue teams to intensify efforts to ensure the recovery of the remains of five mineworkers, who have been missing since a February 17 mud rush at Ekapa's Du Toitspan Joint Shaft diamond mine, in the Northern Cape, and are now presumed dead.

Mantashe on February 27 undertook a second visit to the mine, along with Northern Cape Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC Venus Blennies-Magage and Sol Plaatjie municipality executive mayor Martha Bartlett, to receive a progress report from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources' (DMPR's) inspectors, mine management and rescue teams on developments relating to the ongoing rescue operation.

The DMPR noted in a statement that, following an extensive dewatering process, rescue teams were now removing mud from the affected sections of the mine. This critical step would enable teams to access the areas where the mineworkers are believed to be trapped.

The Minister also addressed mine management following Ekapa's February 25 announcement that it would apply to the court for liquidation.

“Announcing liquidation during a disaster is an act of bad faith on the part of the mine, particularly in an industry where workers' lives have been endangered in the past. The safety of mineworkers, who convert investments into wealth, must take precedence over profit," he said.

Various trade unions have expressed concern about Ekapa's liquidation announcement, with some worried that it may result in the bodies of the missing mineworkers not being recovered.

The DMPR said government was committed to regularly visiting the mine until all mineworkerswere accounted for and brought back to the surface. "The department’s inspectors will remain on site until the rescue mission is completed," it assured the public.

Concerns have also been raised about the impact on those employees who would lose their jobs as a result of the mine's liquidation, as well as the economic impact on the broader community.

Unions have also reported that some employees at the mine had not received their salaries for February.

“Our main focus at the moment is on ensuring that the five mineworkers are recovered and that the mine management meets with the union to resolve on the outstanding salary of the workers,” Blennies-Magage told the media.