6 Feb 2014

Miners missing after deep fire

10:35 am on 6 February 2014

Nine miners are missing in a South African gold mine, where a fire continues to burn deep underground.

The Doornkop mine, west of Johannesburg.

The Doornkop mine, west of Johannesburg. Photo: AFP

Harmony Gold said eight other miners had been brought to the surface of the Doornkop mine after they reached a "refuge bay", where there was compressed air and water kept for such incidents.

"Efforts continue to establish the whereabouts of a further nine employees who are currently unaccounted for," spokesman James Duncan told the BBC.

The fire began on Tuesday evening about 1700m below ground.

The National Union of Mineworkers said seismic activity resulted in the collapse of underground rocks which caused the fire.

The BBC reports the Doornkop mine is just outside Johannesburg, on the west rand.