JOHANNESBURG, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Sibanye-Stillwater on Monday confirmed that three of the five employees who were trapped underground passed on in their mine.

Early last month 13 employees were also trapped in their mine near Masakhane mine, Driefontein operations west of Johannesburg and seven passed on.

James Wellsted, head of investor relations, said rescue teams are still looking for the missing two employees.

"Sibanye-Stillwater regrets to advise that there has been an incident today at its Kloof Ikamva shaft involving five employees who entered an abandoned working place. Sadly, three employees have been retrieved and declared deceased," said Wellsted.

The cause of the incident is still being investigated.

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) expressed shock over the death of the miners.

Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said, "The Union again calls for the urgent intervention of the State President (Ramaphosa) to address this tragic state of affairs, by amongst others amending the safety legislation to enable greater rights to refuse in hazardous situations. This brings the total number of deaths at the operations of Sibanye-Stillwater this year, to a shocking total of 19."

Mathunjwa said they want the mine health and safety act (MHSA) to be amended to give power to unions and employees to address safety issues.

"We now call upon President Ramaphosa to urgently intervene and address this issue. Currently workers fear victimization and unfair disciplinary action when calling upon this right. They fear being bullied and intimidated for making a stand. The obvious other fear relates to loss of income. "

He also stated that workers have to be trained in safety issues. Enditem