By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Impala Platinum (Implats) has confirmed 11 workers died in an incident at one of its mining shafts in Rustenburg, North West.
In a statement, Implats explains that the deaths and injuries occurred when 11 Shaft personnel conveyance was hoisting employees to surface at the end of their shift when the conveyance unexpectedly started rapidly descending. Its rapid descent was stopped by the conveyance counterweight becoming trapped by the jack catches.
“All emergency protocols were observed during the event and paramedics and our proto (search and rescue) teams were immediately mobilised,” says Implats, adding that investigations into the cause of the incident are under way.
The injured have been admitted to hospital for treatment.
“This is the darkest day in the history of Implats and our hearts are heavy for the lives lost and the individuals affected by this devasting accident. We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our colleagues and are in the process of ensuring all next of kin have been contacted.
“Implats is offering ongoing support to the families and colleagues of those lost in service. We also hold our injured colleagues in our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time,” says Implats CEO Nico Muller.
The tragedy will come as a massive blow to the South African mining sector’s attempts to improving safety where progress had been registered lately.
Mining fatalities fell to a record low in South Africa last year. The 2022 Mine Health and Safety Statistics reported that 49 mineworkers died on the job in 2022 compared with 74 in 2021 and 60 in 2020.