EWN reports that precious metals producer Sibanye-Stillwater insists that 1,800 miners who were reportedly stuck underground were never trapped but only kept in a shaft for safety reasons.  

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) on Tuesday indicated in a statement that it had received reports that more than 4,000 miners were stuck underground in Rustenburg.  Sibanye denied this and said that management took a decision to keep workers below the surface after rails that were being transported underground fell down the Thembelani shaft.  Company spokesperson James Wellsted said that employees were kept underground while a safety inspection was being conducted on the shaft infrastructure.  “We had an alternative output at another shaft, which is adjacent to Thembelani where the incident happened.  We could have taken them out at that shaft but preferred not to have employees walking that distance underground,” he indicated.  No injuries were reported and all miners were brought to safety.  Amcu's Joseph Mathunjwa said they wanted answers.  "Sibanye-Stillwater's safety record is a concern.  You'll remember last year, they are a company that contributed to the 41 fatalities that happened last year."

• Read the full original of Mia Lindeque’s report in the above regard at EWN

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