The Junior Mining Council (JMC) extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of two employees who tragically lost their lives following a mining incident at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kloof 8 shaft on Sunday, 3 May 2026. The two contractor employees are reported to have sustained fatal injuries when a platform uncontrollably descended down the shaft.

This devastating incident has once again brought to the spotlight the inherent risks faced by mineworkers and the urgent need for continued vigilance across the sector. A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently under way. In line with regulatory requirements, all relevant stakeholders, including organised labour and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, have been duly notified.

The JMC conveys its heartfelt sympathies to all those affected during this difficult time. This unfortunate incident occurs at a time when the mining sector is reflecting on past tragedies that have shaped mining communities and reinforced the call for safer working conditions. 

From the recent tragedy at Ikapa Mine in Kimberley — a symbol of both pride and pain — to the Lily Mine disaster, where affected families continue to seek closure, these events serve as a sobering reminder that worker safety is a fundamental human right.

The JMC calls on the industry to strengthen its commitment to proactive safety management and strict adherence to the Mine Health and Safety Act, 29 of 1996 (MHSA).  The Act further promotes a culture of safety through meaningful employer and employee participation and empowers workers with the right to refuse dangerous work. 

Key obligations in terms of the MHSA include:

• Employers must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that the mine environment is safe and without risk to the health of employees (Section 6).

• Employers are required to provide appropriate personal protective equipment.

• Adequate training and ongoing risk awareness programmes must be implemented to safeguard workers (Section 10).

The JMC urges all stakeholders across the mining value chain to reaffirm their collective responsibility to protect the lives and wellbeing of mineworkers, and to strive towards a “zero incident” or “zero harm” target in mining. This strategic goal is aimed at eliminating fatalities and serious injuries, ensuring that every worker returns home safely. It requires a strong focus on proactive risk management, continuous safety training, and the adoption of appropriate technologies.