"An elevator transporting miners up and down the shaft unexpectedly dropped 200 meters," said a report by the eNCA, a local television channel.

A total of 88 miners were on the conveyance, the report said, quoting Johan Theron, spokesperson with the mining company.

The safety incident involving a winder rope occurred Monday afternoon at its 11 Shaft operation at Impala Rustenburg, the company said in a statement issued Monday.

The rope is connected to the personnel conveyance, which hoists employees up and down the shaft, and the conveyance comprises three levels, each with a capacity to carry 35 personnel, the statement said.

Investigations into the incident are underway, the company said.