Sibanye Stillwater, one of South Africa’s leading gold producers, reported that 289 miners are currently trapped underground at its Kloof gold mine, located approximately 60 kilometers west of Johannesburg. The incident occurred late Thursday at the mine’s Kloof 7 shaft—one of the deepest gold mining operations in the country.
According to company officials, all workers have been accounted for and are sheltering safely at a designated underground assembly point. Emergency protocols were promptly activated, and Sibanye confirmed it is supplying food and monitoring conditions closely while preparations for their safe extraction continue.
“A full inspection of the shaft is underway to ensure safety before workers are brought to the surface,” a Sibanye spokesperson said. “We are hopeful the situation will be resolved by midday.”
The exact cause of the entrapment has not been disclosed. However, the incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in South Africa’s mining sector, which includes some of the world’s oldest and deepest gold mines.
The Kloof mine, a major contributor to Sibanye’s output, accounts for roughly 14% of the company’s total gold production. Mining at this site extends to depths of around 3,200 meters (approximately 2 miles). In addition to Kloof 7, the mine operates two other shafts.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) confirmed it received reports of the event, which occurred around 10:00 p.m. local time on Thursday. NUM said it is closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that safety standards are upheld.
This incident follows recent tragedies in South Africa’s mining industry, including the discovery of 78 bodies earlier this year in an illegal mining operation where access had been cut off for months.