Relief as 260 mineworkers emerge safely from underground
A rescue mission ended in celebration as miners were reunited with loved ones after more than 24 hours underground.
Sibanye Stillwater has confirmed that all 260 mineworkers have safely returned to the surface on May 23.
• Also read: Trapped miners located, safe and have food – Sibanye-Stillwater
This is according to Sibanye Stillwater’s executive vice president of Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs, James Wellsted, who further mentioned mineworkers were not subjected to any risk of injury during the incident.
“Comprehensive safety inspections and a shaft integrity assessment, along with the necessary repairs, were carried out before the mineworkers were brought to the surface,” Wellsted stated in a media release.
Based on the safety evaluations, Sibanye thought it best to keep the mineworkers at their respective stations underground until they could be resurfaced.
He noted that the first group of mineworkers surfaced around 13:30 on May 23, and the remaining mineworkers returned safely around 19:30 that same day.
Wellsted explained that mine rescue and medical teams were deployed promptly during the ordeal.
“All affected employees will undergo thorough medical examinations, if required, while support has also been extended to the families,” Wellsted concluded.
