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Gold Fields lambasted over mine deaths

Johannesburg - Gold Fields [JSE:GFI] was been the biggest contributor to mine deaths in SA so far this year, Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Godfrey Oliphant said according to IOL.

Five miners died at the Ya Rona shaft in the west section of the Kloof Driefontein Complex (KDC) last month following a fire. The mine reopened on Monday but the Ya Rona shaft remains closed as the fire has not been extinguished.

“We find it unacceptable that Gold Fields still continues to be the major contributor of the carnage of workers in the mining sector, with 10 workers having lost their lives this year to date. It is also of great concern that Driefontein mine remains the main source of (the) death of mine workers, followed by Gold Fields’ Beatrix operations,” Oliphant was quoted as saying.

Speaking at a memorial service held for the five employees who died at the KDC West mine, Oliphant said there had been 63 deaths across the mining industry this year. There were 27 deaths in the gold industry, 21 at platinum mines, seven at the countries collieries and eight at various other mines.

Oliphant said it was regrettable that most deaths were in gold and platinum mines, since it was expected such mines would have proper health and safety measures in place.

"The question... in my mind is whether the mining industry is genuinely committed, beyond various statements that they have been made, (to) improving health and safety of mine workers.

"In a country where a better life for all has been promised, we cannot continue robbing family members of their loved ones."

On Monday Gold Fields reported that the Department of Mineral Resources had agreed to the re-opening of KDC West. The Ya Rona shaft would, however, remain closed while investigations into the cause of the accident continued.

Oliphant said: “An inquiry will be held into this tragedy to determine the root causes and to ensure that it is not repeated ever again. We expect heads to roll if any negligence has been found on the part of any person.”

He said now was the time for mine executives to take responsibility for what was happening in their organisations, in respect of the health and safety of mineworkers.

Earlier this year Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said CEOs of mining companies should be held liable for avoidable fatalities.

“Fatalities which could have been avoided, we feel that CEOs must be held liable for those accidents, because they are responsible for the operations. As they show interest in how they grow the profits they must also show interest in safety,” Shabangu told Reuters in an interview.

Gold Fields shares were down 2.10% in early trade on Wednesday.

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