Various trade unions are concerned that Ekapa Resources (Pty) Ltd and Ekapa Minerals (Pty) Ltd , intend to apply for liquidation.
Five miners are still trapped underground the company’s Du Toitspan Joint Shaft, following a mudslide, approximately 890 meters.
Rising water levels and difficult drilling conditions have made rescue efforts difficult.
The miners are feared dead.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) said “announcing an intention to liquidate while workers are still unaccounted for, is deeply troubling and insensitive. While we recognise the serious financial challenges facing the mine, the immediate priority must be the recovery of the trapped workers and meaningful support for their families.”
Abigail Moyo, spokesperson of another trade union (UASA) said “the potential job losses from this liquidation risk will deepen economic hardship in Kimberley and the surrounding areas.”
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) demands “shareholders and the leadership of Ekapa Mining must be to do everything humanly possible to retrieve the bodies of the workers who were trapped underground following the recent mudslide.”
Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary, said over 300 workers were retrenched, with the remaining, not receiving salaries for the past five months from Ekapa.
“Furthermore, workers did not receive their February 2026 salaries, which were due on 25 February 2026. The families of the trapped workers, who are now presumed deceased, have not received any financial support from the company during this devastating period” said Jim.
He said the union’s position is that Business Rescue proceedings would be more appropriate and responsible.
Picture: Supplied