More mine inspections are in store
MINERAL Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane yesterday appealed for “extra caution” on health and safety in mines, saying he was concerned about tragic accidents in the industry, and his department would increase inspections.
Zwane made his comments in reaction to the fall of ground incident at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu Mine, near Carletonville in Gauteng on Friday.
Five miners were trapped underground. Three bodies have since been recovered.
The 1.8 magnitude seismic event, about 3 100 metres below the surface, occurred at around 10.30am, causing a 10-metre fall of ground.
Mine rescue teams brought the first body to the surface on Saturday. Another body was retrieved on Sunday. The third body was brought to the surface yesterday morning. Two miners remain unaccounted for.
“We are concerned about the accidents we are seeing in the industry. We are asking that employers and the workforce remain alert and continue to prioritise safety, and as the regulator, we will be increasing inspections,” Zwane said. “We continue to engage with business and labour unions to look at how we can together ensure that the positive strides we have made on health and safety are not reversed.”
Harmony Gold said the rescue operation for the remaining two workers continued.
The Department of Mineral Resources’ health and safety statistics for 2016 released in January suggest that the major gold and platinum mines remain the main contributors to accidents and the subsequent loss of lives.
As many as 73 fatalities were reported in 2016 compared to 77 during the previous year.
The gold sector had 30 fatalities, platinum had 27, coal had four, while other mines, including diamonds, chrome, copper and iron ore, recorded 12 deaths for the year.
The overall figure does not include three mineworkers who remain trapped underground at Lily Gold Mine, Barberton, Mpumalanga. – ANA