JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – South African gold producer Gold Fields on Tuesday reported that the body of one of the trapped miners at its Driefontein mine near Carletonville, had been recovered.

The second miner remains unaccounted for.

An underground seismic event, measuring 3,4 on the Richter Scale, was experienced on Sunday night, causing a fall-of-ground incident about 2 500 m below surface. Miners from the night shift were evacuated, but the two employees remained trapped underground.

Gold Fields stated that blasting operations at the mine have been suspended while the rescue operation was under way.

The Section 54, which was imposed by the Department of Mineral Resources, was also still in effect.

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