UPDATE – South African mine workers rescued

REVISES HEADLINE, DECK AND LEDE, ADDS INFORMATION THROUGHOUT</p> <p> <p>By Hassan Isilow</p> <p> <p>JOHANNESBURG (AA) – All 1,800 workers who had been trapped at an underground platinum mine in South Africa’s North West province have been rescued, its operator said late Tuesday.</p> <p> <p> “Sibanye-Stillwater is pleased to advise that all underground employees at its Thembelani shaft have been safely hoisted from the 14th level after a shaft inspection confirmed that it was safe to do so,” the mining company’s spokesman, James Wellsted, said in a statement.</p> <p> <p>The workers were trapped Monday afternoon after some rails that were being transported underground became loose and collapsed the shaft, which is located in the city of Rustenburg.</p> <p> <p>“There have been no serious injuries reported and all employees are safe,” the company said.</p> <p> <p>Mining safety standards in South Africa, one of the world's largest producers of gold and other precious metals, have been called into question following a number of fatalities at mines across the country.</p> <p> <p>South Africa also has one of the world’s deepest mines.