Sibanye-Stillwater has suspended mining operations at its Kloof 4 shaft in South Africa, which produces 14% of the miner's gold output, after it suffered infrastructure damage, the company said on Tuesday.
No injuries were reported after the incident, which occurred on July 30 during a standard safety trial run of the conveyance system conducted before workers were hoisted up the shaft, Sibanye said in a statement.
"The incident occurred between shifts and all employees below 39 level were safely brought to the surface without any injuries sustained," the company said.
Sibanye said the infrastructure damage occurred when an ascending counterweight to the conveyance encountered an unknown obstruction in the shaft, resulting in a number of ballast plates falling down the shaft.
Work has started to ensure the safety of the shaft in order to assess the extent of the damage and facilitate repairs, the company said.
"The extent of structural damage to the shaft steelwork has not yet been established, but may result in a significant delay to the resumption of operations below 39 level," Sibanye added.
Sibanye, which is a major platinum group metals producer and has recently ventured into battery metals, produced 621 000 ounces of gold in 2022.
REUTERS