Miners Trapped at Sibanye-Stillwater: AMCU Demands Accountability

Johannesburg – The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) demands “accountability” and swift action to rescue the 260 mineworkers trapped underground following a shaft failure at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kloof 7 Shaft.

Describing the incident as the “latest life-threatening event,” the union pointed out what it perceives as management’s negligence in maintaining emergency escape infrastructure and the slow provision of food and water.

“An initial accident report indicates that the incident occurred around 10:00 when a skip derailed into the main cage, affecting the hoisting system and damaging shaft infrastructure,” the union stated.

“Workers are currently stranded at Levels 35, 39, 40, and 41, over 3km underground.

“While no injuries have been reported at this point, this situation highlights the unacceptable risks faced by mineworkers engaged in deep-level operations.”

AMCU criticized management for failing to maintain and inspect emergency escape routes, especially at Thuthukani Shaft, which was meant to serve as an alternate evacuation path.

Reports suggest that necessary weekly inspections were not carried out, leaving the escape route inadequate and unusable—a significant factor leading to the prolonged entrapment of workers.

“This is not just an operational mistake. It reflects a failure of duty, planning, and foresight,” remarked AMCU President Joseph Mathunjwa.

“An emergency escape route is more than a theoretical policy requirement. It is a lifeline. Regrettably, it was neglected and allowed to deteriorate.”

The union noted that management began distributing food, water, cold beverages, and sanitary items only at 06:00 on Friday, (23 May 2025), nearly 20 hours after the incident took place.

Supplies were being relayed from sub-levels by Proto Team personnel, with communication ongoing through emergency control rooms, AMCU reported.

“This incident raises pressing questions about the culture of mine health and safety,” said AMCU.

“Despite recent improvements on paper, workers continue to face unacceptable levels of risk due to negligence and poor adherence to protocols.”

AMCU expressed disappointment over the delayed public announcement of the incident.

They explained that the situation was only confirmed by Sibanye and the Chief Inspector of Mines after media inquiries.

“The lives of mineworkers should not be a public relations issue,” Mathunjwa asserted.

“We demand complete transparency, immediate reforms, and amendments to the Mine Health and Safety Act to ensure real accountability.”

The Union is closely observing the situation and is ready to support the affected workers and their families.

Night shift operations at the shaft have since been suspended.

“This is not an isolated case. So far, 32 mineworkers have lost their lives in South Africa’s mining sector in 2025 alone. Sibanye’s Kloof operations have a long and lethal history,” AMCU stated.

In October 2023, three workers died due to a fall-of-ground incident at Kloof 4 shaft, and in 2018, seven workers were killed in a seismic event at the same mine.

“These are not just ‘accidents.’ They are predictable results of a system that values production over the safety of people,” Mathunjwa lamented.

“Until the government rigorously enforces safety regulations and criminalizes corporate negligence, these fatalities will continue.”

“How many breadwinners must perish before AMCU’s call to amend the Mine Health and Safety Act is taken seriously?”

Mathunjwa emphasized that AMCU insists on accountability and responsibility from these companies.

“The trauma inflicted on these families is unacceptable. Without accountability for these mines, there will be no consequences,” he stated.

“The lives of our members are being sacrificed in the darkness, deep underground, for the lavish lifestyles and vast profits of these multinational corporations—a sacrifice at capitalism’s expense.”

Mathunjwa added: “All these issues stemmed from the ‘rush gold hour’ and the urgent need to extract as much gold as possible.”

“We have sought a meeting with the Minister [of Mineral and Petroleum Resources], but have yet to receive a response,” he continued.

“Our thoughts are with those still trapped and the Proto Team. We have dispatched our National Health and Safety Team to the site to address this situation.”

AMCU reiterated its call for a revision of the Mine Health and Safety Act to ensure mine leaders are held accountable for the deaths of mineworkers.

However, reports from the mine late Friday afternoon suggested that some miners had begun to emerge.