/ 5 March 2008

Trapped surveyor rescued from Free State mine

Gold Fields said on Wednesday an employee who was trapped at its Beatrix mine had been rescued but another was still missing after an accident on Tuesday.

The company — the world’s fourth largest gold miner — said the incident occurred after the ground shifted in a stope 750m below the surface at the number one shaft of the mine in the Free State.

Company spokesperson Andrew Davidson told Reuters on Wednesday that the surveyor was brought out of the mine at about 7.15am GMT.

”He appears unhurt, he will be taken to the hospital for a full medical examination,” he said, adding that the search was still on for a missing teamleader.

Mining in the immediate area around the accident site had been stopped until the missing worker was found, but Davidson said the remainder of the shaft was still operational. – Reuters