The Sibanye-Stillwater Gold Mining Company announced on Friday that approximately one-third of the miners became trapped underground in a shaft near Johannesburg, South Africa. While some were rescued, more than 180 are still inside the mine after damage to the hoist system during the incident.
On Thursday, at the Kloof Gold Mine, one of the company’s deepest operations located about 37 miles from Johannesburg, the Kloof Number 7 shaft—approximately 2 miles deep—was where the mishap occurred. This site accounts for about 14% of the company’s production.
Details of the incident remain somewhat unclear. The South African Miners Union (NUM) reported that around 10 PM local time, the hoisting system experienced a failure. A preliminary investigation indicated that a locking mechanism for a skip door unexpectedly opened, leading to damage that made the shaft unsafe for miners.
For context, “mining skip” refers to smaller elevators that transport ore into collection bins, rather than using larger cages that can carry full mine carts. Initial investigations suggested that the doors were ajar while the hoist was in motion, necessitating thorough inspections before resuming operations.
The initial estimate of 289 miners trapped was later revised down to 260. Miner reports indicated they had some space to move but chose to stay put, since it was safer to wait for repairs to the hoisting system.
A risk assessment led to the decision to keep employees in the sub-shaft until it’s safe to emerge, primarily to avoid potential hazards of traveling long distances at this time. All miners were expected to be accounted for around noon.
The company has committed to implementing safety measures and inspecting the shaft, assuring that all miners are being fed and are generally safe. However, the NUM expressed discontent with Sibanye-Stillwater’s handling of the situation, criticizing the delay in informing the public.
On Friday afternoon, 79 miners successfully reached the surface. While the company stated that none of the remaining workers were injured, their families expressed confusion and concern about why others were still underground.
A woman outside the mine voiced her fear, stating, “I just want to tell the management… My husband just wants to live!”
Journalists reported being kept away from the site, but the miners who were rescued appeared tired yet unharmed. Fortunately, there were no reported deaths or injuries, but concerns arose as some miners had gone without food or water for extended periods, which is particularly alarming for those with health issues.
