Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe says the death toll following seismic events at the Sibanye-Stillwater Mine in Driefontein near Carltonville now stands at five mineworkers.
Mantashe has also extended his condolences to the families of the deceased mineworkers.
Thirteen mineworkers were trapped underground on Thursday after a seismic event caused collapses three kilometres underground.
Mantashe briefed the media on Friday night after meeting with mine management.
“I call it a disaster. Seismic activity is prevalent in this area. When you see the first sign, you pull your workforce out because it hardly happens that you have a seismic event and it is only one. There’s always a seismic event, followed by another one and followed by another one.”
