The recent Harmony Gold Mining Co's. Elandsrand gold mine mishap, in which 3200 workers were trapped more than a mile underground, has been successfull in rescuing all. According to the Associated Press (AP), the accident occurred due to a pressurized air pipe breaking at the mine and tumbling down a shaft yesterday. This damaged an elevator, stranding thousands of workers in the mine which is located near Johanesburg. A spokesman for the National Mineworkers Union, Lesiba Seshoka, told the AP that the mine was not properly maintained.

Although no casualties have been reported, The South African government has accused Harmony Gold Mining of not passing on this information, as the Minister of Minerals and Energy - Buyelwa Sonjica mentioned that they were made aware of this only through a news bulletin.

Deon Boqwana, regional chairman for the National Mineworkers Union, said officials were in contact with the trapped miners by a telephone line, and were rescuing them using a smaller cage with a capacity of 75 workers at a time.

The accident has already spurred allegations of corners being cut by the industry for profit. Senzeni Zokwana, president of the National Mineworkers Union, said the accident should be a wake-up call for the industry. Amelia Soares, a spokeswoman for Harmony Gold Mining, mentioned that the mine had recognized with safety awards and never faced any fatal accidents. The company would remain closed for three to six weeks for repairs and a probe into the accident.