Sibanye-Stillwater Mine Incident Highlights Risks of Deep-Level Gold Mining

A sudden incident on Thursday led to 260 miners being stranded underground at Sibanye-Stillwater's Kloof operation near Westonaria. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the miners are expected to be brought to the surface after a safety assessment of the affected shaft is completed. The incident, which occurred due to spilled debris damaging the shaft, underscores the hazards and engineering challenges of deep-level gold mining.

Key Takeaways:

• The incident occurred at Sibanye-Stillwater's Kloof operation near Westonaria, where 260 miners were stranded underground after the door of the conveyance cage used to haul ore to the surface opened, resulting in spilled debris damaging the shaft.
• The company said that it has commenced with the first phase of bringing employees to the surface, which has successfully completed by hoisting 79 employees to the surface.
• The remaining 181 employees are waiting at level 39 and will be brought to the surface after the shaft safety examination has been completed.
• Sibanye-Stillwater's Kloof operation is a classic ultra-deep Witwatersrand gold operation, with a depth of over 3km.
• The incident highlights the hazards and engineering challenges of deep-level mining, which requires a thorough safety assessment before resuming operations.
• The company provided food to the employees still underground and will work to bring them to the surface as soon as the safety examination is completed.
• Sibanye-Stillwater has a history of successful rescues, including one in 2019 where 1,800 miners were trapped underground at the Thembelani shaft in the platinum belt near Rustenburg, but all were safely brought to the surface with no injuries.

Statistics:

• 260 miners were stranded underground at the Kloof operation.
• 79 miners were brought to the surface in the first phase, with 181 remaining at level 39.
• The incident occurred in a shaft that is over 3km deep.
• The safety assessment of the affected shaft is currently ongoing.
• Sibanye-Stillwater has a history of successful rescues, including the one in 2019 where 1,800 miners were trapped underground at the Thembelani shaft.

Sources:

• Sibanye-Stillwater's official statement on 23 May.