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Johannesburg — Three miners were still trapped in the Lily Mine in Mpumalanga yesterday, after a shaft at the coal mine collapsed on Friday, paramedics said. “Specialised mine rescue teams are working through the rubble,” said ER24 spokesperson, Russel Meiring. “They are still looking for them. We are on standby.”
Meiring said as far as he knew, contact had not yet been made with the three miners.
A total of 87 workers were on duty when part of the coal mine owned by Vantage Goldfields, between Kaapmuiden and Barberton, caved in on Friday morning.
According to a company statement issued on Friday, it appeared that a pillar of ore, called a crown pillar, collapsed.
No one was seriously injured, although 57 miners were taken to hospital for treatment.
“Only one had to be admitted after his blood pressure went up due to shock,” said nurse, Sibahle Buthelezi, from the Barberton Mediclinic on Friday.
Mineral resources department spokesperson, Martin Madlala, could not immediately be reached for comment.— News24.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi