Unions slam Ekapa liquidation decision amid search for missing miners

Trade union UASA has sharply criticised Ekapa Resources for its “deeply saddening” decision to apply for liquidation while five miners remain trapped underground at the Kimberley, Northern Cape diamond mine.

On February 17, a catastrophic mud rush engulfed the area, leaving the miners stranded nearly 890 metres underground. Despite search operations taking place, the miners, who have been presumed dead, have not been found.

UASA spokesperson, Abigail Moyo, said the timing of the liquidation move which was announced just as search efforts stalled at the Du Toitspan Joint Shaft, is a massive blow to families already reeling from the presumed death of their loved ones.

Ekapa Resources and its subsidiary, Ekapa Minerals in a statement cited “severe operational and financial pressures” as the reasons behind it filing for provisional liquidation. It said that the Du Toitspan mine was closed with immediate effect but search operations will continue.

But the union said the move is a betrayal of workers who are facing emotional trauma and the immediate threat of joblessness at the same time.

“UASA is deeply saddened by the board’s decision to pursue liquidation while workers, families, and the broader mining community are still coping with the aftermath of the accident,” Moyo said.

With the National Budget already flagging South Africa's high unemployment, the union warned that this liquidation risks gutting the Kimberley region. UASA is now demanding:

• Employee benefits and outstanding obligations are prioritised.
• Fair consultation takes place with organised labour.
• Government intervention to shield the community from total economic collapse.
• Moyo concluded that the union stands in solidarity with the affected community, urging for fair treatment as the company prepares to wind down operations.

Meanwhile Cosatu said in a statement that it was saddened by the turn of events at Ekapa Mine.

“Cosatu’s thoughts are firmly with the missing miners’ families at this time. We hope the recovery operation will yield positive results soon. The federation is also devastated that the approximately 1 300 workers at Ekapa are soon to be jobless. 

“Cosatu hopes the board and management of Ekapa Mine are not attempting to escape accountability by hastily applying for liquidation. We therefore call for a thorough investigation into the cause of the mud rush. The probe should also explore weather with the appropriate safety and early warning mechanisms in place, the mud rush could have been anticipated or completely prevented,” the trade union federation said. 

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