Approximately 300 miners are currently trapped underground at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kloof mine, located in Westonaria, Johannesburg. This alarming incident unfolded on Thursday when an object fell into the mine’s shaft, triggering an immediate response from various mining authorities and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
According to the NUM, the miners have been stranded beneath the surface since the accident, with no access to food and water, heightening concerns about their safety and wellbeing. While officials have yet to report any injuries or fatalities, the union has expressed alarm over the lack of provisions for the trapped miners.
Livhuwani Mammburu, a spokesperson for the NUM, provided an update on the situation, indicating that the incident is being treated as an engineering problem.
“The incident started yesterday [Thursday], but we’re told that it’s an engineering problem. It looks like something fell on the shaft, but we’re still gathering information and also trying to get the preliminary report,” Mammburu stated. This reflection showcases the ongoing efforts to understand the cause of the incident while ensuring the miners’ safety remains paramount.
The Department of Mineral Resources has also dispatched the principal inspector to the scene, where rescue operations are currently underway. The urgency of the situation has prompted a swift mobilisation of resources to facilitate the safe extraction of the workers trapped below ground.
As rescue teams work tirelessly to resolve the issue, the focus remains firmly on the miners’ welfare. With each passing hour, the pressure mounts to ensure the safe return of those who have been cut off from essential sustenance and support. As updates continue to unfold, the nation watches closely, hoping for a swift and safe resolution to this harrowing situation.