More than 180 gold miners remain stuck below ground after a shaft malfunction at a major South African mine left hundreds unable to return to the surface.

A broken hoist system at the Kloof Number 7 shaft, part of Sibanye-Stillwater’s mine near Johannesburg, halted operations late Thursday, initially trapping 260 workers underground and prompting an ongoing rescue effort that has drawn criticism and concern, as Breitbart reports.

The incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, roughly 37 miles west of Johannesburg, when a hoist system failed at one of Sibanye-Stillwater’s deepest and most productive units. Known as the Kloof Number 7 shaft, the location extends nearly two miles underground and contributes significantly to the company’s gold output.

A preliminary review pointed to a malfunction involving a component called the “sub-shaft rock winder skip door,” which reportedly came loose during movement. This forced officials to suspend the lift system normally used to transport workers to and from the surface, and left emergency protocols in place as mining operations came to a halt.

Initially, Sibanye-Stillwater believed 289 workers were affected, but the figure was later revised to 260 miners still inside the shaft. Although the company initially downplayed the notion that the workers were “trapped,” it ultimately adhered to safety guidelines that kept the miners in a holding area until it was considered safe to begin lifting them from underground.

Response, controveries unfold

In a statement on Friday, Sibanye-Stillwater described the decision to pause physical exits from underground, citing a risk assessment that found the safest course of action was to keep workers near the sub-shaft station rather than walking long distances down the mine’s corridors. The company added that all individuals had been located, were physically safe, and had received food provisions.

“We are actively implementing our safety and shaft examination procedures,” a spokesperson said. “Once these are completed, we will begin hoisting employees to the surface.”

By Friday afternoon, 79 of the 260 trapped workers had been brought above ground, many after spending nearly 24 hours below. Security officials restricted media access to the site, although journalists nearby observed some of the rescued miners boarding buses, looking exhausted but unharmed.

Union voices concerns over delays

Despite the company's assurances, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was quick to raise concerns regarding how the situation was handled. Union leaders expressed frustration that public communication only followed inquiries from the media, not proactive disclosure from the mining firm itself.

"We are very concerned because the mine did not even make this incident public until we reported it to the media," said NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu.

Duncan Luvuno, the union’s health and safety chairman, emphasized the importance of timelier responses in emergency conditions.

He criticized the delay in getting essential aid to those underground, stating that some went nearly 24 hours without access to food or water, despite some having chronic medical conditions.

Families wait as rescue work proceeds

Family members of the miners gathered anxiously outside the Kloof mine, expressing confusion and frustration as updates were limited. One distraught woman shouted, “I just want my husband out alive!” as she waited near the security perimeter.

Miners underground were said to be safe and receiving supplies, but concerns about their mental and physical well-being mounted as the hours passed. The lengthy delay without regular contact stirred unrest among loved ones, who demanded more transparency and a faster rescue timeline.

Amid the scrutiny, Sibanye-Stillwater maintained that lifting operations would proceed cautiously to ensure no further harm came to those underground. The company anticipated that all miners would be back above ground by midday Friday, though by that time, nearly 200 remained below.

Pressure for industry reform persists

The mine's role in the company's overall production was not insignificant, with the Kloof Number 7 shaft alone contributing 14 percent of Sibanye-Stillwater’s current gold output. The impact of the hoist malfunction could raise questions about broader safety systems throughout the site.

The mining industry in South Africa, while historically a pillar of the national economy, has long struggled with labor disputes and infrastructure challenges. This latest episode renews pressure on companies to ensure rapid response protocols are followed without delay or secrecy.

NUM indicated it would continue monitoring the situation and likely press for further investigation once all members are safely extricated. As of Friday evening, the full rescue had not yet been completed.