Sibanye workers begin to surface after accident at South African gold mine
Share this @internewscast.com

Nearly a third of the 260 miners who were trapped underground after an accident at a Sibanye-Stillwater gold mine in South Africa were brought up on Friday, according to the company. A senior union official confirmed that there were no injuries.

The miners became stuck underground due to a malfunction in the hoist system used for shaft access at the Kloof gold mine, one of Sibanye’s deepest located about 37 miles from Johannesburg, following an accident on Thursday.

Sibanye said 79 of the employees had been brought to the surface by 1:30 p.m. local time in the first phase of an operation to extract the miners.

“The remaining 181 employees have been given food and will be brought to the surface once it is safe to do so,” Sibanye mentioned in a statement.

A company spokesperson told Reuters late Friday afternoon that the process was expected to be completed “soon.”

Mine workers trapped underground at Sibanye Stillwater's shafts at the Kloof gold mine

Mamodise Mokone, whose husband is among the miners still trapped underground, reacts as she speaks to the media at the Sibanye Stillwater mine, in Westonaria, Johannesburg, South Africa, May 23, 2025.  (Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko)

“Fortunately there were no fatalities or injuries,” National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Health and Safety Chairperson Duncan Luvuno told journalists at the site. “But for … 24 hours people were not eating or drinking anything. This is not adequate. Some have chronic diseases.”

Journalists were barred by security guards from getting near to the mine shaft, but a Reuters reporter saw some of the miners, looking tired but in good health, walk to the perimeter of the company grounds and board buses.

Relatives of those still in the mine, however, expressed shock and worry that their loved ones remained underground.

“I haven’t slept a wink,” said Mamodise Mokone, whose husband was among the miners. “I just want to tell the management or whoever is in charge: I just want my husband out alive.”

Sibanye earlier said all the workers were safe after what it called a “shaft incident” in the Kloof 7 shaft and were gathered at an assembly point as efforts were launched to bring them out of the mine.

Johannesburg-based Sibanye is among only a few South African miners squeezing profits from some of the world’s deepest and costliest gold mines. Sibanye is digging for gold at depths of roughly two miles at the Kloof 7 shaft.

The Kloof mine, which accounts for 14% of Sibanye’s total gold output, also operates two other shafts. The company mines platinum-group metals in South Africa and the United States as well.

Mining accidents are not uncommon in South Africa, where many abandoned mines have been taken over by informal diggers.

Earlier this year, at least 78 bodies were pulled from an illegal gold mine after police cut off food and water supplies for months in an attempt to crack down on illegal mining activity.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
3.6 million HydroTech hoses recalled in US over burst risk

Recall Alert: 3.6 Million HydroTech Hoses in the US Due to Burst Hazard

These hoses have caused at least 29 injuries, including temporarily impaired hearing,…
George Lucas tells Comic-Con crowd his new museum in LA's Exposition Park will be 'a temple to the people's art'

George Lucas Announces LA’s New Museum at Comic-Con as ‘A Temple for People’s Art’

SAN DIEGO — George Lucas made his debut on the Comic-Con stage…
Sailboat sinks near Miami Beach after crash with barge, leaving 6 hospitalized

Six Hospitalized After Sailboat and Barge Collision Near Miami Beach

Six people were pulled from the water near Star Island in Miami…
What to know about the trial of a Colorado dentist accused of poisoning his wife

Key Information on the Trial of a Colorado Dentist Accused of Poisoning His Wife

DENVER (AP) — The trial of James Craig, a Colorado dentist accused…
Attorneys claim 'new evidence' shows officer pointed gun at man in viral arrest

Lawyers assert ‘new evidence’ reveals officer aimed gun at man during widely-shared arrest

Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels will hold a news…
Suspect walking in a parking lot near Or Tor Kor Market in Bangkok, Thailand.

Tragic Mass Shooting at Bangkok Market Leaves At Least Six Dead

AT least six people have been killed after a gunman opened fire…
Federal agents 'stormed the cockpit,' removed Delta co-pilot after flight landed at San Francisco International Airport

Federal Agents Enter Cockpit, Remove Delta Co-Pilot Following Flight’s Arrival at San Francisco Airport

SAN FRANCISCO — A routine Delta flight turned anything but ordinary after…

Illinois Heat Wave: Air Conditioning Problems Lead to Rush Hospital ER Diverting Ambulances During Chicago Heat Advisory

CHICAGO (WLS) — An air conditioning problem caused a prolonged bypass at…
Chicago police release surveillance images of SUV in Pilsen hit-and-run that killed Marcela Herrera

Surveillance Images of SUV Released by Chicago Police in Pilsen Hit-and-Run Killing Marcela Herrera

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police have shared images of an SUV sought…
Florida county school board chair deletes comments celebrating Hulk Hogan's death as 'one less MAGA'

Florida School Board Chair Removes Comments Celebrating Hulk Hogan’s Passing, Referring to Him as ‘One Less MAGA’

Sarah Rockwell, the chair of a Florida county school board, issued an…
Texas local official caught mocking DHS secretary as 'Homeland Barbie' after deadly floods

Texas Local Official Mocks DHS Secretary as ‘Homeland Barbie’ Following Fatal Flooding

City officials in Kerrville were caught off guard by the severe flooding…
Travis Decker speaking to police.

Police Release Disheartening Update on Major Travis Decker in Search for Fugitive Father Accused of Killing Three Daughters

COPS have released an update on their search for dad Travis Decker,…