A total of 260 miners were left stranded overnight at a gold mine near Johannesburg following damage to a shaft, officials and union representatives confirmed on Friday.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning at a site operated by Sibanye-Stillwater, one of South Africa’s leading mining companies. The company assured that all workers remained safe, were accounted for, and had been provided with food and support while underground.
Company spokesperson Henrika Ninham explained that although the workers were not technically trapped, it had been decided to keep them stationed at a sub-shaft for safety reasons until conditions allowed for a safe exit. The miners were expected to be brought to the surface by midday on Friday.
The National Union of Mineworkers voiced concern over the welfare of the employees, noting that they had been underground for nearly 20 hours since the incident took place around 10 a.m. local time on Thursday.
South Africa’s mining sector, which employs hundreds of thousands and plays a key role in the economy through the export of platinum, gold, diamonds, coal and other raw materials, has long grappled with safety challenges. Accidents are not uncommon, although fatalities have decreased significantly due to improved safety protocols over the past two decades.
According to the Minerals Council South Africa, the number of mineworker fatalities declined in 2024, with 42 deaths recorded compared to 55 in 2023.
