S.Africa's Sibanye says exit of 1,800 miners may be hindered by shaft damage

South Africa's Sibanye-Stillwater said on Tuesday about 1,800 miners might not be able to exit via one of its Rustenburg mine shafts due to possible damage and they might have to use another route.

Sibanye-Stillwater spokesman James Wellsted said rails, which were being transported down its Thembelani shaft via a conveyance, fell down the shaft at its platinum operations.

"We have to do a full shaft inspection, clear the rails if any have been stuck in the shaft and make sure there has been no significant damage to the steelwork," Wellsted said. Wellsted said that, if the shaft was damaged, the workers who were being provided food and water, would have to exit via its Khuseleka shaft which was 4 km (2.5 miles) away. (Reporting by Tanisha Heiberg Editing by Edmund Blair)