ELANDSRAND MINE, South Africa - The last of 3,200 miners trapped deep in a South African mine shaft was saved on Thursday, capping a day-long rescue mission that began with fears of the worst and ended in wild celebrations.
Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica was among those who danced and sang when an exhausted Mandis Mandanga, 57, walked out of Harmony Gold's Elandsrand gold mine outside of Johannesburg at 1838 GMT.
"I am overjoyed. It was an extraordinary achievement saving 3,200 people," Sonjica said, as paramedics treated Mandanga for exhaustion and dehydration.
Mandanga said: "It was very hot and I am tired, but I am okay now."
His ordeal began late Wednesday night when an electricity cable to the mine's main lift was severed, stranding the mine's workforce, which included an estimated 200 women.
They were stuck in a cramped space in the mine, where temperatures were believed at times to have reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
The accident prompted the government to order Harmony Gold, the world's fifth biggest gold miner, to shut down operations at the mine for six weeks.
Jeanneth Makamu, exhausted and wearing dusty green overalls, said she had spent much of the time underground thinking about her family. Her husband, who also works at the mine, escaped the accident.
"I was worried for my two children and my husband Steven. I met him as I came in the morning shift and he was walking out (after a nightshift)," said Makamu.
As she and others emerged from 2.2 km (1.4 miles) underground they were handed food packages before they headed to their hostel accommodation. The miners were brought up slowly in a small lift to avoid risks, mining officials said.
Harmony Gold said clean air and water had been pumped to the workers while they were underground.
