[20] The USGS recorded a 4.9 moment magnitude earthquake on 15 June 2014 in the same area, which earth science consultant Dr Chris Hartnady believes may have been a foreshock.

[13][16] While both mining activity and natural faults could be causative factors, it is difficult to establish a precise cause.

He believes that more than 90% of South Africa's earthquakes are caused by mining, especially around the areas of Klerksdorp, Carletonville and Welkom.

[13][20][22] According to Hartnady, "This part of Africa is in the vicinity of the East African Rift system, which is being pulled apart by a few millimetres annually."

[16][22][23] Professor Ray Durrheim, a seismologist at Wits University, said seismic events will continue while there is mining activity in the area,[3] and even long afterwards.

He said the flooding of inactive mines could also compound pressure on geological faults, triggering further seismic events.

[3] The earthquake occurred at 12:22:33 SAST on 5 August 2014, with the epicentre near Orkney, a gold mining town in the Klerksdorp district in the North West province of South Africa.

[13][32][33] According to Michelle Grobbelaar, manager of the CGS's seismology unit, the earthquake was felt in Durban because "the beach sand tends to amplify the ground motion".

[36] There was a single fatality, 31-year-old Mosotho man Leshomo Makhaola, who died when a wall of an old mining house collapsed on him in Kanana, North West.

[7][30] All 3,300 AngloGold Ashanti miners underground at its Great Noligwa and Moab Khotsong mines near Orkney had been brought to the surface by 19:30 SAST on 5 August, including 34 who had been injured.

[7][40] All 34 miners were treated for minor injuries, including lacerations, contusions and a broken leg,[13][40] and discharged from hospital on 6 August.

[53] Mahumapelo said that counselling, social relief and temporary accommodation were being provided,[44] and that the buildings and infrastructure damaged in the earthquake might take years to repair.

[38] On 30 September 2014, the Inkatha Freedom Party expressed its concern for the residents of Khuma as repairs to their homes were delayed and had not yet commenced.