Amplats worker dies after chemical incident at refinery

7th September 2017 By: African News Agency

JOHANNESBURG – An Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) employee has died from his injuries after suffering chemical burns in an accident at the company’s Precious Metals Refinery (PMR) in Rustenburg.

Amplats said the incident occurred on August 21 but the employee succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday this week.

Amplats FD Ian Botha sent condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

“We are providing support and assistance to all involved during this difficult time. An independent and comprehensive process is under way to understand the circumstances. We continue to focus our energies on working towards zero harm for all our employees,” Botha said.

According to the Department of Mineral Resources, a total of 73 fatalities were reported in 2016 in the mining sector, compared to 77 the previous year.

Of the 73 fatalities reported, platinum mines claimed 27 lives, second to gold mines which claimed 30 lives.