3 die in SA’s mines

By Jurina Nkwazi
22 October 2010

The National Union of Mineworkers says three mineworkers have died in separate accidents in the past 24 hours.

One worker died at the Impala Platinum early this morning in Rustenburg, North West.

NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said, “We are shocked and disappointed to hear about the death of yet another mineworker who died after inhaling noxious gases.”

Meanwhile, a team leader was run over by a guardhopper at Goldfields 's Beatrix Mine in the Free State Wednesday afternoon.

Harmony’s Mr Jackson Morena said, “Another worker died at Harmony’s Kusasalethu when a skip was dislodged and fell down the shaft killing a rigger.”

“This comes at a time when the mining industry talks about industry progress on the safety of mines”, Seshoka said.

“We are calling on the department of mineral resources to make quick intervention to bring this mine industry to book,” he said.