Last Updated: November 28, 2023, 17:47 IST
Johannesburg, South Africa
A truck on the De Beers Voorspoed Diamond mine close to Kroonstad, South Africa May 3, 2017. (Reuters File Photo)
Elevator plunge at South African platinum mine kills 11 and injures 75. Implats faces scrutiny over mine security. Trade union query well being and security measures
An elevator carrying staff at a large South African platinum mine plunged 200 metres killing 11 miners and injuring 75, the operators stated Tuesday.
Impala Platinum stated the “devastating accident” occurred Monday at its Rustenburg mine, northwest of Johannesburg, as greater than 80 staff had been being taken to the floor on the finish of their shift.
The alert was raised because the carry “unexpectedly started descending”, in response to the corporate. A spokesperson for the corporate, generally known as Implats, stated the shaft was 1,000 metres (3,280 ft) deep and that the elevator dropped 200 metres earlier than security tools arrested “its rapid descent.”
“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 devastating accident,” Implats CEO Nico Muller stated. “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”.
The firm stated 75 injured staff had been admitted to native hospitals. Spokesman Johan Theron advised AFP some staff had been severely injured, most suffered from ankle and leg fractures. Others walked out with minor scratches.
– Mine stored closed –
Rescue operations had been accomplished and all of the 86 staff concerned had been accounted for, Implats stated. But all operations on the mine had been suspended on Tuesday, as an investigation went forward, the corporate added.
“Implats is offering ongoing support to the families and colleagues of those lost in service,” stated Muller. “We also hold our injured colleagues in our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time.” But commerce unions questioned security measures on the mine. “This incident… raises a lot of questions about health and safety issues,” the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa stated in a press release.
Geoffrey Moatshe, of the National Union Of Mineworkers, stated that shaft lifts must be checked regularly. “If this thing was checked and maintained, this could have been avoided,” Moatshe advised AFP. Mine accidents are frequent within the nation, the place lots of of 1000’s work within the business. Industry group Minerals Council South Africa stated 41 miners have died because the starting of the 12 months. Implats stated in August that 5 staff had died at work in varied mines within the earlier 12 months.
“This is a tragic accident. It serves as a stark reminder that there can never be any lapse in focus and vigilance regarding safety on mines,” stated Japie Fullard, chair of a Minerals Council’s security initiative.
South Africa has the world’s deepest mines and is a serious exporter of gold, diamonds, coal and different uncooked supplies. It is the largest producer of platinum. Many of the deep mines have lifts that may carry greater than 100 folks at a time. Dozens of mineworkers are killed every year, although numbers have been falling as security requirements have been stepped up over the previous 20 years.
More than 430 coal miners had been killed within the Coalbrook catastrophe in 1960. There had been about 50 mining deaths in 2022, in response to authorities statistics. At least three staff had been killed in a mudslide on the Rustenburg Implats mine in 2021.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
