An estimated 100 miners have been trapped underground at a mine in Barberton in Mpumulanga.

Details are sketchy, but according to an ER24 press release, paramedics were called to the Lily Mine “after part of a shaft apparently collapsed”.

Comment could not immediately be obtained from Vantage Goldfields, the owners of the mine. However, a staff member at the head office in Nelspruit confirmed that all senior management from the company were at the mine.

ER24 reported that 49 miners had been brought to the surface having sustained minor injuries.

The Barberton Times newspaper reported that between 60 to 70 miners had been taken to the Barberton Hospital for treatment and observation.

The newspaper reported that contact had been made with the miners who are trapped below surface.

The newspaper quoted Mike Begg, the mine’s operations manager as saying that the collapse had happened at the “lamp-room”.

“Those are the only people I’m afraid for,” Begg was quoted as saying.

The newspaper further reported that people had gathered outside the entrance of the mine and were praying for the trapped miners.

More details were not immediately available.

The mine is located off the R38 between Barberton and Kaapmuiden.

According to the company’s website, the mine was started initially as an open pit mine in 2000, but had since become a shallow underground shaft mine. It is not clear how deep the shafts at the mine descend. – African News Agency