JOHANNESBURG – The Association of Miners and Construction Unions (AMCU) is demanding “accountability” and the rescue of 260 miners trapped underground following a shaft failure at the Kloof 7 shaft in Sibanye-Stillwater.
Describing the situation as “the latest life-threatening incident,” the union pointed out that management said it was unable to maintain its emergency escape infrastructure, and that food and water were delayed.
“According to a preliminary accident report, the incident occurred around 10:00 when Skip derailed into the main cage, tripped the winding system and damaged shaft infrastructure,” the union said.
“Workers remain at levels 35, 39, 40 and 41, more than 3km from the surface.
“While no injuries have been reported so far, the event again exposes the unbearable risks faced by miners at deep levels of manipulation.”
The AMCU said it would condemn the failure to maintain emergency escape routes and manage inspections, particularly with the Thuthukani shaft, which should serve as an alternative route for evacuation.
According to the AMCU, weekly testing was not performed as needed, and escape routes were substandard and could not be used.
“This is not just an operational accident, it's a failure of obligation, planning, and visionary,” said AMCU President Joseph Mashunjuva.
“The emergency escape route is not a theoretical policy requirement. It's a lifeline. In this case it was allowed to fall into devastation.”
The union reportedly began supplying food, water, cold drinks and sanitary products only on 06:00 (May 23, 2025) on Friday (May 23, 2025) almost 20 hours after the incident.
AMCU said it was being distributed from sub-level to sub-level by Proto team personnel, and communications are ongoing through the Emergency Management Office.
“The incident once again raises serious questions about the health and safety culture of the mine,” Amcu said.
“Despite recent paper improvements, workers are at unacceptable levels of risk due to negligence and inadequate enforcement of protocols.”
Amcu said he was also disappointed that the incident was delayed in public disclosure.
The union said the situation was confirmed by the Sivanier and the chief inspector of the mine.
“The life of miners is not a matter of PR,” Mathunjwa said.
“We will introduce real accountability by calling for full transparency, urgent reforms and amendments to the Mines Health and Hygiene Act.”
The union is closely monitoring development and is waiting to support affected workers and their families.
Night shift operations on the shaft are then suspended.
“This is not an isolated incident. As of today, 32 miners have died in South African mining in 2025 alone. There is a long and fatal track record in Sibanye's operation,” says Amcu.
Three workers died in a falling ground on the Kroof 4 shaft in October 2023, the union added that seven workers were killed in a 2018 earthquake event at the same mine.
“These are not 'accidents'. Those are the inevitable consequences of a system that puts production ahead of people,” Mathunjwa said.
“These deaths continue until the government enforces safety laws and criminalizes corporate negligence.
“Do we need to lose the number of earners until AMCU's Clarion call is complied with in order for the mine's health and safety laws to be complied with?”
Mathunjwa said the AMCU wanted these companies to be liable and liable.
“The trauma going to these families is unacceptable. Until these mines are responsible, there will be no consequences,” he said.
“The blood of our members is spilling deep underground in the dark, as sacrifices for the gorgeous lives and super profits of these multinational corporations, as sacrifices on the altar of capitalism.”
Mathunjwa added: “All of these things happened because of the 'rush gold hour' and rush to get as much gold as possible.
“We requested (with the Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources) from the audience, and to this day there has been no response,” he added.
“Our prayers are in the proto teams who are still locked up and we have sent the National Safety and Health Team to the site to address this issue.”
Amcu once again called for amendments to the mine's health and safety laws, and asked for the mine's boss to be held accountable by killing miners.
However, reports from the mine late Friday afternoon suggest that miners began to surface.
