President Jacob Zuma expressed shock at the news of an underground fire at a Carletonville gold mine and urged the safe rescue of miners, the presidency said on Sunday.
"The President wishes the miners and their families strength during this period," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
"He has also urged that everything possible should be done to ensure the safe rescue of the miners."
Almost 500 miners were trapped underground when a fire broke out at the Kusasalethu Gold Mine near Carletonville.
The Harmony Gold Mining Company said that around 468 miners had been brought to the surface and around 18 were still underground.
No injuries or fatalities had been reported and the fire had been contained
The fire started on the mine's 75 level, approximately 2,300 metres below surface, at around 09.40am this morning.
The fire was believed to have started during maintenance work on a bulk air cooler.
All operations at the mine had been suspended.