JOHANNESBURG, May 6, 2008 (AFP) - Mining in two South African gold mines, suspended last week after nine miners were killed when their lift cage plummeted down a shaft, has resumed, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.

'Operations started on Monday in Kloof and Driefontein. Operations will resume in the third mine, South Deep, on Thursday,' Andrew Davidson told AFP.

The three mines are owned by Gold Fields.

The accident happened last Thursday when a cable carrying the lift snapped and the cage fell down two levels at the South Deep Mines near Randfontein in the northeastern province of Gauteng.

About 200 people are killed in South Africa's mines every year.