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Barberton - Efforts to rescue three workers trapped inside Lily Mine, in Louisville outside Barberton, have been suspended following a second collapse at the site on Saturday morning, Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza said.
"This is painful for the families, let us support them until we get their relatives," Mabuza said after a visit to the mine on Saturday.
"We hope we will find them in a few days time. Let us not worry about any other things, ours is to find them whether alive or dead."
Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyarende and Yvonne Mnisi have been trapped in the mine since last week Friday.
About 550 tonnes of debris and rock, of an estimated total of 20 000 tonnes was being moved each day in efforts to reach the trio.
The search was suspended on Saturday morning to reduce the risk of the rescuers' safety during the operation.
Mabuza urged affected parties not to point fingers but to accept that the incident was an accident.
"The mine should not feel guilty about this, but should continue and conclude the operation so that people could proceed with their lives."
He called everyone to continue praying for the three to be found.
Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane had also visited the mine on Saturday and was currently speaking to the families of the three miners.
