South African officials have confirmed that all 1,800 workers trapped underground at a platinum mine in South Africa have been rescued.
Owners of the mine said the workers were trapped on Tuesday afternoon after rails fell down in a shaft.
The workers were trapped underground at the mine in Rustenburg in North West province, according to the mine’s owner, Sibanye-Stillwater.
Rescuers had to create an alternative exit route in order to bring the trapped miners to the surface.
In a statement, the department of mineral resources called for vigilance at all mining sites in the country.
The statement however said an investigation will be carried out into the incident despite workers being rescued.
Minister @GwedeMantashe1 commends successful rescue operation at Sibanye-Stillwater pic.twitter.com/Z2uYCihKb2
— Dept Minerals RSA (@DMR_SA) May 1, 2019
South Africa often records cases of miners getting trapped in mining pits.
Last year, 955 miners were rescued from a mine site owned by the same company Sibanye.
The miners were trapped after a storm damaged electricity supply to the site.
Source: Africafeeds.com
