The last of 3,200 miners trapped in a South African mine shaft was saved last night after a day-long rescue mission.
Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica was among those joined the celebrations when an exhausted Mandis Mandanga (57) walked out of Harmony Gold's Elandsrand gold mine outside of Johannesburg.
"I am overjoyed. It was an extraordinary achievement saving 3,200 people," Mr Sonjica said, as paramedics treated Mr Mandanga for exhaustion and dehydration.
On Wednesday night, 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.
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.
Harmony Gold said clean air and water had been pumped to the workers while they were underground. Both the company and the mining union said better safety standards were needed at the mine.