South Africa Gold Mine: 289 Miners Trapped, Rescue Underway
Approximately 289 miners became trapped in Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kloof gold mine’s number seven shaft after a door malfunctioned during ore transportation, damaging the shaft. The mining company assured that all workers were safe and would be rescued by midday Friday. The incident follows a separate tragedy in January where at least 87 illegal miners perished in an abandoned mine. South Africa grapples with a significant problem of illegal mining in its numerous abandoned mines, which poses safety risks and causes substantial economic losses.
John Q. Hosedrinker