Two die of heat while searching missing colleague at Westonaria mine

MINING giant Sibanye-Stillwater has confirmed the deaths of two members of a search and rescue team that died while looking for a missing employee who had gone underground to fix electrical issues.

A spokesperson for the mine, James Wellsted, said the deceased employees were part of a six-person proto team conducting search and rescue operations in a raise line (vertical or inclined excavation) in Westonaria, where the employee was reported as missing.

Based on information received, the two employees were overcome by heat during the search.

Wellsted said there were four rescuers and one experienced dizziness and other problems due to the underground heat. His partner stayed with him while two others went for help but upon their return both were dead.

“Sibanye-Stillwater regretfully confirms that two members of its mine rescue team passed away on the evening of Sunday, September 19, while conducting search operations for an employee at Kloof Thuthukani Shaft,” Wellsted said.

He said the board and management of Sibanye-Stillwater extend their sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues of the deceased employees and those impacted by this devastating loss of life. The search for the missing employee continues and further details will be provided as soon as possible.

“The causes of these incidents will be investigated once the search and rescue operation is concluded,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, search operations would continue for the missing employee but Wellsted said some of the shafts would be properly ventilated so that the teams were not overcome by heat.

understands that temperatures underground can reach as high as 50ºC. It is not clear what happened to the missing employee but his safety belt and water bottle were found.