Green Chert mining blast: Injured man dies
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PIGG’S PEAK – One of the men who were injured during a blasting at the Green Chert mine has succumbed to his injuries.
Over a week ago, a blasting at one of the mountains situated within Malolotja Nature Reserve resulted in six of the miners being injured. The miners were employed by the Green Chert Mine, which also has its offices at Nkomazi near Pigg’s Peak.
It mines Green Chert rock which is used in construction and also to make decorative ornaments.
Popular
The rock is popular in Asia, where it is smoothened and shaped into the ornaments for sale. Currently, the Green Chert mine only has a prospective licence for extracting the rock.
After the accident, Eswatini News reported that two of the injured were treated and discharged, while four were still admitted to the hospital.
At least four are said to have been admitted to the Pigg’s Peak Government Hospital, but some were later transferred to the Mbabane Government Hospital for further observation, after family members complained that they did not feel the hospital was capable of treating the injured.
Complained
Some of the injured had complained that they were told that the hospital did not have any medication.
It was gathered after the incident that during the blasting some of the miners got injured as the explosion went off, while they were still in close proximity. Some of the injured were engulfed in flames, including the deceased who is said to be from the area near where the mine is situated.
His name will not be mentioned for now as he close relatives could not be reached for comment on the matter. It was gathered that he died on Thursday while still undergoing treatment.
Informed
Prince Makhosonke, who is also the Public Relations Officer of the Green Chert mine when reached for comment confirmed the death. He said he had already been informed by the family and that the company was to visit the deceased’s relatives yesterday.
He also said they were mourning with the family because the deceased person had become a family member in the company. He said the company had closed at the announcement of the death to honour the former employee. “We are grieving with the family,” he stated.