National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) says it will continue to monitor the process to retrieve five men trapped underground at the Ekapa Minerals shaft, as the company moves towards liquidation.

In a statement, Ekapa Minerals said the decision to enter liquidation followed a careful assessment of its financial position. The company cited a prolonged downturn in the global diamond market, compounded by the recent tragic incident at the shaft, as key factors behind its inability to meet financial obligations.

Mining operations at the Ekapa site in Kimberley, in the Northern Cape, have been halted with immediate effect.

NUMSA has raised concerns about the welfare of affected workers and the broader implications of the liquidation process, particularly in relation to outstanding wages, safety procedures and accountability.

The union says its immediate focus remains on ensuring that the retrieval operation is conducted safely and transparently, while also seeking clarity on the future of employees and support measures for their families.