Ramatlhodi meets unions and management

Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi met Kusasalethu mine management and unions on Monday, Harmony Gold said.

"The minister was briefed on the fire that was reported at 9.40am yesterday [Sunday] morning, and on the safe evacuation of 486 employees," the company said in a statement.

The minister said he wanted to know the "real situation".

"We are very grateful that all of those who went underground have been accounted for," Ramatlhodi said.

"I want to commend the rescue teams, in particular. I have met with them this morning, and I was moved to see them risk their lives to save lives. They make us proud."

He thanked management and unions for the rescue effort, and for the measures they had in place at the mine.

"But most of all, I want to commend the employees, for doing what they were trained to do," the minister said.

Harmony said the mineral resources department (DMR) would lead the investigation into the fire.

"Findings of this investigation will be communicated in due course," the company said.

Harmony chief operating officer Alwyn Pretorius said: "We will participate fully in the investigation into the events that led to the fire.

"Whatever answers are arrived at, from both the official DMR investigation and our own internal enquiry, will be used to inform measures to be taken to prevent a recurrence."

He said the company was grateful the systems it had in place, including underground refuge bays and "incredibly well-trained" mine rescue team members, had worked so effectively.

The fire started at the mine's 75 level, approximately 2300m below surface, around 9.40am on Sunday. It had since been contained.

Some of the miners used refuge bays which had fresh air, water and telephone communication to surface.

All 486 employees underground at the time were brought to the surface safely. The fire was believed to have started during maintenance work on a bulk air cooler.