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Breaking: Nearly 500 Workers Trapped Underground In South Africa Gold Mine

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by Deji Abidoun & Agency Reporter

Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited announced Sunday that some 486 workers were trapped underground.

This was caused by a fire that started on the mine’s 75 level, about 2,300 metres below surface at around 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, the company said in a statement.

Specially trained Mine Rescue teams have been deployed underground at the company’s Kusasalethu gold mine near Carletonville, southwest of Johannesburg, according to the company.

“At present, some 287 of the 486 workers are confirmed to be safe in refuge bays underground, which are supplied with fresh air, water and telephone communication to surface,” the company said.

“Mine Rescue teams are working to assist those in refuge bays and to locate the other workers,” it said.

The fire, believed to have started during maintenance work on a bulk air cooler on 75 level, is in the process of being contained by Mine Rescue teams, and ventilation flow to the fire is being sealed off, the company said.

A further six Mine Rescue teams have been called out and are expected to be deployed on arrival at the mine to assist with the rescue, it added.

All operations at the mine, other than those related to the rescue, have been suspended, the company said.

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