Sibanye-Stillwater rescues all 260 trapped at Kloof

All 260 employees of Sibanye-Stillwater (JSE: SSWJ; NYSE: SBSW) that were trapped underground at the precious metals producer’s Kloof 7 mine were safely returned to the surface on Friday night.

The incident occurred when the skip door on the rock winder unexpectedly opened at the Level 39 loading point, disrupting access to Levels 40, 41, and below. The malfunction halted operations and required a full safety inspection, leaving workers stranded underground for several hours.

The first group of miners emerged on Friday at 1:30 p.m. South African time, with the remaining employees rescued later that evening. Sibanye-Stillwater confirmed that no workers were injured during the incident.

Shares in Sibanye-Stillwater fell 0.7% on Monday to close near 27.16 rand (C$2.09) apiece, valuing the company at 77 billion rand. 

Operations suspended

Mine operations will remain suspended until the shaft is declared safe. Chief executive officer Neal Froneman emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, thanking management, mine rescue, and medical teams for securing a smooth and safe recovery.

“Safety remains our core priority, and we will not resume operations until we are confident that all the necessary remedial actions have been implemented,” Froneman said.

The Kloof mine, located in Gauteng province, produces 14% of Sibanye’s total gold output and includes two other active shafts. In 2023, Shaft 4 was closed due to safety and cost concerns. The mine employed around 8,900 workers at year-end, including contractors.

Mining incidents continue to pose a serious risk in South Africa, which hosts some of the world’s oldest and deepest gold mines. In January, at least 78 bodies were recovered from an illegal operation after authorities cut off supplies in a crackdown. The government estimates illegal mining cost the country more than $3 billion in 2024.