Miners emerge from underground on third day of protest at Springs mine

Miners have begun emerging from underground at the Gold One mine in Springs, Gauteng.

They were seen emerging from the shaft in full personal protective equipment at around 7am on Wednesday.

A group of Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) supporters were gathered on the premises, watching as the miners emerged in small groups and assembled above ground.

They had been underground since Sunday, when Amcu launched what it calls a sit-in protest to demand recognition as a union from the company.

More than 500 workers were underground, with management and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) saying they had been held hostage by workers who support Amcu. NUM, which has had a closed shop agreement at the mine, said most of the affected miners were its members.

Company spokesperson Jon Hericourt said: “We have a lot of people coming out. It’s not everyone but it’s quite a significant number.

“They are currently being medically evaluated and given energy drinks.”

While details are still sketchy, he said: “It seems that they just broke out and came to the surface.”

“We have sent people and security to find out where the rest of the people are.

“Most of them are just tired and hungry.

“There was one person who was carried out and is being stabilised and we will get him to hospital.”

This is a developing story

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