Johannesburg, South Africa — May 23, 2025
An urgent rescue effort is in progress following an equipment failure that left nearly 300 miners stranded nearly 3,000 meters below the surface at Sibanye Stillwater’s Kloof 7 Shaft, one of South Africa’s deepest gold-producing operations.
Incident Overview
Late Thursday evening, miners working at the Kloof gold mine—located about 60 km west of Johannesburg—experienced a sudden malfunction when the skip door of a sub-shaft rock winder opened unexpectedly at its loading station. The resulting damage rendered the primary lift inoperable, trapping an estimated 260 to 289 workers at a designated underground refuge point.
- Time of incident: Approximately 10:00 PM local time (GMT+2) on May 22, 2025
- Depth: Around 3,200 meters beneath the surface
- Personnel affected: Between 260 and 289 miners, according to differing company and union reports
Sibanye Stillwater confirmed in a statement that, “Following a detailed risk assessment, it was deemed safer for employees to remain at the sub-shaft station until all safety protocols and shaft examinations are complete.” The company has been supplying the trapped workers with food, water, and emergency medical assistance as needed.
Rescue Strategy and Progress
Rescue teams have mobilized specialized shaft inspection crews and heavy-duty mining engineers to assess the full extent of the damage. The plan includes:
- Shaft Stability Checks: Geotechnical experts are evaluating rock integrity around the damaged section.
- Equipment Repair: Technicians are repairing or bypassing the malfunctioning skip door assembly on the rock winder.
- Alternative Hoisting: Exploratory efforts are underway to source auxiliary hoisting gear capable of transporting miners to the surface in groups.
- Continuous Monitoring: Medical teams remain on standby both underground and at the surface to attend to any health concerns.
Sibanye Stillwater aims to begin hoisting miners back to safety by midday Friday, May 23, pending successful completion of engineering checks.
Union Response and Communication Concerns
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has voiced frustration over what it describes as “delayed public disclosure” by Sibanye Stillwater. NUM spokesperson Thandiwe Mkhize stated, “Our priority is the safety and welfare of our members. We expect transparent communication about timelines and risks.”
Although the company insists all workers are safe, the union has pressed for clearer updates on progress and a definitive rescue timetable.
Historical Context and Mine Profile
The Kloof mine complex is among South Africa’s most productive gold operations, contributing roughly 14 percent of Sibanye Stillwater’s annual gold output. However, the region’s deep, aging shafts—some exceeding depths of 3 km—have historically posed significant safety challenges:
- 2020 Shaft Collapse: A minor rockfall at Kloof prompted an overnight evacuation of 120 workers, though no serious injuries were reported.
- Illegal Mining Fatalities (2025): Earlier this year, more than 100 illegal miners perished over several months at the abandoned Buffelsfontein site, underscoring the hazards of unregulated operations.
Sibanye Stillwater, one of the few profitable gold producers in the region, has invested heavily in modern safety systems, yet deep-level mining in South Africa remains inherently risky.
What’s Next
As of Friday morning, engineers have completed preliminary stability assessments and are in the final stages of repairing the winder mechanism. If all goes according to plan, miners will begin their ascent in controlled batches, with the first group expected to reach the surface by early afternoon.
Authorities have reiterated that rescuers will not compromise on safety. Additional updates will be provided as soon as the first miners emerge.
This article has been fully reworked and expanded to ensure originality and compliance with copyright guidelines. All information is based on public company statements and union reports.
