Approximately 300 miners are reportedly trapped underground at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kloof mine in Westonaria, Johannesburg, following an incident that occurred on Thursday. According to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the miners have been stuck beneath the surface for over 24 hours, raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being.
Kloof Mine Incident Leaves 300 Miners Trapped Underground
The incident reportedly began when a large object fell into the main shaft of the Kloof mine, disrupting normal operations and leaving hundreds of workers stranded underground. While there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities, the NUM has voiced grave concerns regarding the conditions the miners are enduring.
Livhuwani Mammburu, a spokesperson for the National Union of Mineworkers, stated, “The incident started yesterday, but we are told that it’s an engineering problem. It looks like something fell on the shaft, but we’re still gathering information and trying to get a preliminary report.”
The exact nature of the object that caused the blockage has not yet been confirmed, but early reports suggest that the fall has severely damaged infrastructure critical for transportation and ventilation within the shaft. The NUM has emphasized that, without access to food or water, the situation is becoming increasingly dire by the hour.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts at Kloof Mine
Rescue operations are currently underway, with teams working around the clock to safely retrieve the trapped workers. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has dispatched senior officials to the site, including the principal inspector, to oversee the rescue mission and assess the situation.
Engineers and mine safety experts are reportedly on-site, attempting to stabilize the shaft and create a safe passage for the miners. However, the scale and complexity of the blockage present significant challenges. Officials have yet to provide an estimated timeline for the completion of rescue efforts.
“The safety of the workers is our top priority,” said a DMRE representative at the scene. “We are coordinating with Sibanye-Stillwater, emergency services, and engineering teams to ensure that the trapped miners are brought to the surface as quickly and safely as possible.”
The NUM has not only expressed concern for the safety of the workers but is also demanding a thorough investigation into how such a critical failure could occur. The union argues that stronger safety protocols and more rigorous engineering checks could have prevented the incident.
“This is a clear indication that something went terribly wrong with the maintenance or the monitoring systems,” said Mammburu. “We want answers, and we want to ensure this never happens again. The lives of our members are not negotiable.”
The unfolding situation at Kloof mine has garnered significant public attention, sparking a wave of concern across the country. Families of the trapped miners have gathered outside the mine, anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.
Political leaders and labor activists have called for transparency and accountability in the handling of the incident. Many are urging Sibanye-Stillwater to provide regular updates and to support the families affected during this crisis.
“We stand in solidarity with the miners and their families,” said a local community leader. “This should be a wake-up call for the entire mining industry to prioritize worker safety over profits.”
Background: Sibanye-Stillwater and the Kloof Mine
Sibanye-Stillwater is one of South Africa’s largest mining companies, with operations spanning gold and platinum group metals. The Kloof mine, located in Westonaria, is one of its major gold-producing sites and has historically been a key contributor to the country’s mining economy.
Despite its importance, the mine has faced scrutiny in the past for safety concerns. The current incident is likely to intensify calls for reforms in mine safety regulations and more stringent oversight by governmental bodies.
As rescue efforts continue, the incident at Kloof mine serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with underground mining. Industry experts suggest that increased investment in technology, regular maintenance checks, and real-time monitoring systems could mitigate similar risks in the future.
For now, the focus remains on the safe extraction of the 300 miners. The mining community, regulatory authorities, and South Africans across the nation are holding their breath as the critical rescue mission continues at Kloof mine.
Source- EWN