Meet Mannas Fourie: The leader behind the rescue of 246 Stilfontein zama-zamas destined to return

Mines Rescue Services (MRS), under the leadership of Mannas Fourie, recently saved 246 illegal miners (zama-zamas) who were trapped in an abandoned mineshaft in Stilfontein, South Africa. The rescue operation was preceded by a tense standoff with authorities before MRS received the go-ahead. In an interview with Biznews, Fourie detailed the operation’s challenges, which included adverse weather, the maneuvering of heavy equipment, and the retrieval of miners from a depth of 1,280 metres, necessitating a specialised mobile rescue winder capable of operating in deep vertical shafts up to 3,000 metres. Fourie emphasised that MRS does not discriminate between legal and illegal miners in need of rescue; when lives are at stake, their passion to save lives takes precedence, even at the risk of their own safety. He also highlighted South Africa’s world-leading expertise in deep mining rescues and noted that, despite the dangers and rescue efforts, the zama-zamas are likely to return, driven by high-grade mineral deposits that remain and because there is money to be made.
Video production by Asime Nyide
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[@suesykes6798]

This man and all his team are True Hero's and such an amazing thing that he is doing. All Lives definitely matter

[@wickusventer2704]

Well-done Mannas and team.

[@christopherrussell2842]

A real hero decending to 1200 metres to save lives.....bet the rescued are grateful.....all praise to the team

[@ThandiweGulwa]

You just good to what you doing this requires a Presidential Awards,,,you are a star

[@heynw1]

Having worked with Mannas on mine disasters, they are unsung heroes, working behind the scenes claiming no prizes.

[@ElizeHarris-lg7qu]

I'm so very proud of my late husband who were in the West Rand Cons proto team in the eightys.

[@davidkotze4140]

An unsung hero...along with all the heroes that risk their lives and none of us even know what they're doing while we go about our lives !! Thank you 🙏❤

[@emza5760]

Thanks to the team and everyone involved in this work, God bless you 🎉

[@dudleygraham1949]

Congratulations!!! I do believe you guys deserve the very high award from the government in recognition of the HUGE RISK. Thank you for your commitment to doing a sterling job. I am very proud that people like you guys set an EXCELLENT example to the entire World to see.

[@chantellesouthafrica]

Thank you Manna and Team! Wow... You guys are lifesavers! WE'LL DONE!!!

[@acevans4880]

Thanks for this Linda and Mannas - just amazing to hear this!🌿

[@corneliasimanga293]

Thank you Mannas for you and your team. You are heroes and we appreciate you. From Namibia 🇳🇦

[@graemedewit1119]

This is what a leader looks like. Inspires confidence in his behaviour and mannerism. Knows his job and has earned his position.

[@paulreed3716]

Amazing tech ,innovation and leadership!

[@gertvanniekerk46]

Thanking you for the top class, highly technical and courageous work being done to SAVE Lives, To All MRS personnel, Heros and Scientists who MUST get the highest South African, recognition, awards and accolades reserved for only REAL Heros and Icons! An Example of what South Africans Can Do and Just DO!!!

[@gertgilich3508]

Now that there is a hero! Thank you.

[@duanfourie8385]

Heroes!

[@dave-bourse]

Excellent SA Technology ! These are huge figures. Now, can SA get back on the world map (without DEI, BEE, illegals and other). Well done to Mannas Fourie and team (Prototeam).

[@christinefinniss6263]

Wow!

[@samanthawebb7926]

Designed, manufactured in South Africa! 🎉

[@Marmite695]

An absolute hero and living proof that 'n Boer maak altyd 'n plan, and racism doesn't exist !!

[@stevenwortrich6014]

Latter day hero, have yet to hear thanks from the Government..

[@antubefrank]

Respect

[@DavidSolomon-uj4sk]

Proactive leadership like this guy, often comes a a "calling "through early expience in their enviroments and communities. OUR bull headed leaders could learn much from this fine example of how to serve.i.e.by us for us ! Salue also to past and retired Med techs (backroom) men and women who served for years on 24/7 basis!

[@sharonadams9721]

This is the level of excellence that exists in this country yet the ANC is busy trying to wreck the GNU.

[@wayne975]

Why are South Africans not legally employed in mining these old shafts that are supposedly expired ?

[@gbone7581]

it is not economically viable to mine these areas!

[@Rustie_za]

@@gbone7581 Yes it is. You just need to adapt your technology.

[@ODGreenZa]

Cause the gold Mafia has taken them over

[@peetschabort1080]

A very good question Wayne. Gbone (below) is partly correct but Rustie (below) not. When the shaft sinking is complete you start with tunnels with vertically a certain distance apart (called levels) to be used to mine the gold. Due to faults etc. you are forced to leave pillars no matter how payable it is for SAFETY. Around the shaft a pillar in the form of a concentric circle is left NEVER to be mined while the mining takes place obviously to protect the shaft for SAFETY reasons. When the mine operations comes to an end it might be too dangerous and not profitable to remove the pillars. I think this is what the zama-zamas are removing which is utterly extremely dangerous. A good example is the Coalbrook mine disaster where the pillars were too small or too far apart resulting in a devastating collapse. As far as I know there is no technology that can be used to be able to go back and SAFELY remove the remaining gold and still show a profit.

[@wayne975]

@@peetschabort1080 Gumtree posts? Thank you for your answer

[@sajidAli-l3g8d]

Plise feel like my brathar in this maien plise

[@ronelpeens7366]

and us tax payers will foot the bill...

[@mahareng]

😢

[@sajidAli-l3g8d]

good morning sir my brathar is missing senc 17 december 2023 name is my brathar kashif i neet hallp

[@danielmokori6032]

Dont come here and talk rubbish

[@BulaBeyers]

😂😂😂

[@sajidAli-l3g8d]

My brathar name is kashif ali

[@karlgimmedatforfreemarx]

What drives him is earning some money off fools

[@trueblu-f2r]

Everybody works to earn, don't you??

[@MadzudzoChihwa]

Millions

[@markmcculloch2570]

Get real. Another low I Q comment.