JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – As rescue operations continue at Harmony Gold's Kusasalethu mine after a fall-of-ground on Friday, Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has appealed for “extra caution” to be taken on health and safety in the mines.
The fall-of-ground, which was triggered by a seismic event some 3 100 m underground, had trapped five workers on Friday, with the bodies of three of the employees recovered so far. Two employees are still missing.
Harmony had suspended all operations at the mine.
"We are concerned about the accidents we are seeing in the industry. As we head towards the last quarter of the year, we are asking that employers and the workforce remain alert and continue to prioritise safety and, as the regulator, we will be increasing inspections," Zwane said.
The Department of Mineral Resources continued to engage with business and labour unions to ensure the positive strides made on health and safety were not reversed.