London – Hundreds of permanent workers underground in the Kloof gold mine near Johannesburg after the “axis incident” occurred in the Sibening Stillwater sub-Porus, the mining company based in South Africa said Friday.
“We actively implement our safety and axis examination procedures,” said Sibeng-Stilwater in a statement. “After this is finished, we will start lifting employees to appear. All 260 employees have been calculated, safe and have been given food.”
A spokesman for the Sibagual-Stilwater clarified to ABC News that the workers “were not trapped.” The company said in the statement that they expect all affected employees to be brought to the surface on Friday afternoon.
“Following the detailed risk assessment, it was decided that employees must remain at the sub-poros station until safe to continue to the surface, to avoid running long distances,” said the company. “It is estimated that all affected employees will be brought to the surface around noon today.”
The general view of the Sibeng Stillwater Mine, where efforts continue to save mining workers trapped underground in one of his axis in the Kloof Gold Mine, in Westonaria, Johannesburg, South Africa, May 23, 2025.
Scottourized We / Reuters
“Initial investigations show that the door passes the Kloof 7 sub-sense rock is opened at the loading point at level 39, impacting at levels 40 and 41 below this point,” the company said. “The door opens led to some damage at level 35, and the work to make this safe has been completed.”
This is a developing story. Please check again for updates.