[miningmx.com] – MINING at a shaft of Aquarius Platinum’s only
operating South African underground mine, Kroondal PSA, was suspended yesterday
after three people were killed and at least 20 others injured following an event the
company described as “a serious security incident’.
Aquarius Platinum announced to the JSE that a crowd of about 200 former
employees of the mine’s contractor, who were dismissed following an illegal strike in
June, invaded the grounds of the Kwezi shaft of Kroondal.
The mine’s contracted security company attempted to disperse the crowd, some of
whom were armed, while others threw petrol bombs, with the result that three
people were killed. Some 450 employees were on the shaft and underground at the
time.
“Operations at Kwezi shaft were immediately suspended, and management has
evacuated around 450 morning-shift employees to ensure their safety,’ the
company said. A further update will be provided in due course, it said.
Shares in Aquarius Platinum dipped below R5/share after falling 2.75% on the
announcement.
“Members of the South African Police Service were on site at the time of the incident
and the SAPS have now taken charge the situation to restore order,’ it said.
