Harmony recovers miner’s body

[miningmx.com] — Harmony Gold Mining said on Tuesday it had recovered the body of one of two miners who had gone missing after a tremor on Monday at the Bambanani mine, which forced the suspension of operations.

Harmony, Africa’s third-largest gold producer, could not immediately say how much gold production would be lost after the accident, in which four other workers were injured.

South Africa, the world’s top platinum producer and a major chrome exporter, has a safety record that compares unfavourably with mines in more developed economies, partly because it has some of the world’s deepest mines.

Fatalities have led to the temporary closure of mines and reduced output, which is already declining due to falling grades.

Last year, 165 miners died in its mines.

Bambanani mine, in Free State province, produced 1 170 kg of gold during the April-June quarter.