By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DRME) has instructed Impala Platinum (Implats) to commission an independent investigation into an underground accident last month which claimed the lives of 13 miners.
This follows completion of an in loco (in place) inspection report completed by the department. In terms of the DMRE’s direction, the commission will be supported by several third party specialists and undertaken in collaboration with the original equipment manufacturers of the conveyance infrastructure.
More than 70 injured last month when the elevator bringing miners up to the surface from 11 shaft malfunctioned, sending the lift plummeting to the ground.
In a statement, Implats says it received the report from the in loco inspection on Wednesday, 13 December 2023, which directs to commission an independent investigation into the accident to determine its cause.
“The DMRE report contains specific instructions related to the 11 shaft winder accident in terms of section 54(1)a of the mine health and safety act, some of which are in the process of being implemented, with other recommendations to implemented at a later stage, as appropriate.
Finalisation of this phase of the investigation and inquiry process now allows Implats access to the affected infrastructure, under direction from the DMRE, to initiate the independent investigation and the required remedial work.”
The mining company says the probe will be supported by several third-party specialists and will be done in collaboration with the original manufacturer of the affected conveyance equipment.
The 11 shaft complex will remain decommissioned during this process.
The accident has significantly worsened a difficult year for Implats. As with every other PGM miner, Implats is struggling with a decline in metal prices which have squeezed margins.
The tragedy will also come as a blow to the South African mining sector’s attempts to improve safety where progress had been registered. “It serves as a stark reminder that there can never be any lapse in focus and vigilance regarding safety on mines,” said Japie Fullard chair of the Minerals Council’s ‘CEO Zero Harm Forum’.
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. As of November 24, the mining industry had recorded 41 fatalities compared to 44 the same period a year earlier, said the Minerals Council.