Some trapped mineworkers rescued from Kloof mine

JOHANNESBURG - Some trapped mineworkers at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kloof operations in Westonaria have started to resurface after hours underground.  

Two hundred and sixty miners failed to resurface after their shift following what's been described as a technical issue. 

Rescue teams on site have been able to retrieve some workers unscathed and operations continue.

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Technical teams spent a few hours doing dry runs to make sure that the equipment being used to haul the miners back up to surface was safe.

Once those checks and balances were in place, they were ready to get going with the first group of miners.

There is scant official information coming from mine management about how the rescue operation is being run but those who are close to the shaft said that at least half were already back up to the surface.

Medical checks are being done on site before they are released. 

One of the miners who resurfaced in the last hour said that he was well but traumatised.

He said that management addressed the first group, explaining the technical issue before apologising. 

He said they’d been given the weekend off but were told to return on Monday when management would decide on the next step.

The next group is expected to resurface shortly.