JOHANNESBURG, May 1 (Xinhua) -- South African gold mine Sibanye-Stillwater on Wednesday confirmed that 1,800 workers trapped in their Rustenburg mine shaft have been rescued.
"Sibanye-Stillwater is pleased to advise that all underground employees at its Thembelani shaft have been safely hoisted from the 14th level after a shaft inspection confirmed that it was safe to do so. There have been no injuries reported and a further update will be provided in due course," said Sibanye-Stillwater spokesperson James Wellsted.
On Tuesday, 1,800 miners were trapped after some rails being transported underground came loose and fell down the shaft.
South Africa's Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe commended the company for rescuing the miners, as well as appealed for vigilance on health and safety at mines.
"Despite strides made on health and safety thus far, we should not be complacent. We are committed to the goal of zero harm at work. Every worker must return home safe."
Mantashe said the government will launch an investigation into the incident.
