More than 24 hours after a terrifying underground ordeal, dozens of miners trapped in a South African gold mine have finally begun to surface, bringing relief to their families and hope to those still waiting above ground.
The incident occurred at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kloof gold mine, located around 60 kilometers west of Johannesburg, when a mechanical failure damaged the hoist system that miners use to enter and exit the shaft. The Kloof mine is one of the deepest in the country, reaching depths of over 3,000 meters (almost 2 miles), and is responsible for a significant portion of Sibanye’s gold output.
On Friday, the company reported that 79 of the 260 workers stuck underground had safely returned to the surface by early afternoon. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with the remaining 181 miners receiving food and awaiting confirmation that it’s safe for them to be hoisted up.
In a reassuring update, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) confirmed that no one was injured or killed in the incident. “Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries,” said Duncan Luvuno, NUM’s Health and Safety Chairperson, speaking at the site. “However, for over 24 hours, these workers were without food or water. That’s unacceptable, especially for those with medical conditions.”
Security restricted journalists from accessing the mine entrance, but a Reuters reporter managed to observe rescued miners boarding buses — visibly fatigued but otherwise healthy.
Still, fear and anxiety hang heavily in the air for the families waiting for their loved ones to return. “I haven’t slept at all,” said Mamodise Mokone, whose husband remains underground. “All I want is for him to come out alive. That’s all that matters.”
Sibanye has assured the public that all trapped miners are accounted for and are being kept at a designated assembly point inside the mine while hoisting operations continue.
The Kloof 7 shaft, where the accident occurred, is critical to Sibanye’s operations, contributing 14% of the company’s total gold production. While Sibanye also operates other shafts at the Kloof site and mines platinum-group metals both in South Africa and the U.S., the depth and complexity of this particular shaft make it one of the most challenging to manage.
South Africa’s mining industry is no stranger to danger. Accidents remain a grim reality, particularly at illegal mining sites, where poor safety measures lead to frequent fatalities. Earlier this year, at least 78 bodies were recovered from an illegal mine after a crackdown by police cut off food and water to those inside.
As rescue efforts continue at Kloof, South Africa watches closely, hoping for a safe return of every miner. For the families and workers, this has been a traumatic reminder of the risks that come with mining one of the Earth’s most valuable resources.
