[miningmx.com] – OF some 78 miners trapped by rockfalls in the Lily gold mine in Mpumalanga province, 75 had been delivered safety to surface, said the Association of Mineworkers & Construction Union (AMCU).
Three lamp room officials were still trapped underground whilst rocks were still falling which made it difficult for rescue teams to reach them, said AMCU which is the union that represents the workers.
The main crown pillar collapsed into the underground open stopes trapping miners during the morning shift, it was reported. Lily is owned by Australian company, Vantage Goldfields and has former Metorex director, Michael McChesney, as its CEO.
South African mines minister, Mosebenzi Zwane, said he would visit the mine along with other inspectors.
“It is worrying that we are seeing such serious accidents so early in the year. We urge all parties to continue prioritizing safety, so that we can realize our ultimate goal of zero harm. It is imperative that each mineworker returns home, unharmed, every day,” said Zwane in a statement.
AMCU president, Joseph Mathunjwa, meanwhile on Friday told Reuters that criminal charges should be brought against Vantage Goldfields management if investigations showed negligence.
“As AMCU, we condemn in the strongest terms the mine management of Makhonjwaan Mine (Lily), the Chamber of Mines, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and Department of Labour for their absolute criminal neglect towards mine workers in this country,” Mathunjwa said.
“Just recently the DMR was commending themselves of declining fatalities and accidents in the mining industry,’ said Mathunjwa.
On January 28, the DMR issued safety statistics for 2015 showing the lowest number of recorded fatalities – 77 – with significant improvements made in the gold sector.
Since then, however, Impala Platinum reported the death of four miners at its Rustenburg operations whilst in December, the DMR wanted to shut all platinum mines near the North West province town following a spate of fatal accidents.
