Johannesburg - Rescue workers reached eight miners who had taken refuge from a fire at Harmony's Doornkop gold mine in the west of Johannesburg, the company said on Wednesday.
But nine miners remain unaccounted for.
“The company is pleased to advise that rescuers have reached the eight employees located in the underground refuge bay, and are bringing them to surface,” spokesman James Duncan said in a statement.
“Efforts continue to establish the whereabouts of a further nine employees who are currently unaccounted for.”
The fire reportedly broke out in a stope adjacent to 192 level haulage (some 1733 metres underground) around 6pm on Tuesday.
“Rescue teams were immediately dispatched underground but access to the affected area was hampered by smoke and a subsequent fall of ground,” Duncan said.
Operations at the mine were suspended. - Sapa