By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mining giant, Sibanye-Stillwater says four people have died with another person seriously injured on Thursday, at its Burnstone gold project, near Balfour.
The company said “five contractor employees were installing a head pulley on the conveyor infrastructure when the conveyor collapsed. Four people died and one sustained serious injuries that are being treated in hospital.”
A full investigation into the exact cause of the incident is under way.
Meanwhile the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has sent its condolences to the families of four mine workers while wishing a speedy recovery to the employee still in hospital.
“The department called for a legislated way of imposing punitive measures against mining companies that fail to put mechanisms in place to prevent fatalities.”
“It has also urged mining companies to invest more in the research and development of technologies that could detect potential incidences before they occur.”
The National Union of Mineworkers also expresses concern about the fatal incident.
The union noted that the incident involved the use of a 140 t crane to lift the pulley from the ground and place it in position. As the pulley was being aligned, the gantry collapsed and resulted in the deaths and serious injury.
The mine has also conveyed its condolences with an internal investigation underway as well.