Employees of Blyvoor Gold were working at the mine’s Level 27 when the tremor, measuring three on the Richter Scale, happened at 10:48. One miner died while several others were injured, and some were trapped underground.
Numerous ambulances and a helicopter were called to the mine to assist after the incident. Seventeen mine workers were evacuated to Fountain and Lenmed private hospitals. Three miners were severely injured. All the trapped workers were rescued.
The mine’s general manager, Mr Louis Lamsley, was not at work due to illness.