Cape Town - Mining Minister Susan Shabangu said on Thursday she was very concerned about the number of fatalities in the sector, especially at gold and platinum mines, and would not hesitate to close unsafe mines.
"I want to reiterate that I am still very concerned about the continued carnage in our mines," she told a Cape Town Press Club function.
She said that up to August 15, 76 miners had lost their lives in 2011, compared with 79 during the same period last year.
"My department will continue with its hard stance on these issues. We will not hesitate to stop unsafe mines in order to save the lives of workers who inadvertently fall victims to these lapses," she said.
"I want to reiterate that I am still very concerned about the continued carnage in our mines," she told a Cape Town Press Club function.
She said that up to August 15, 76 miners had lost their lives in 2011, compared with 79 during the same period last year.
"My department will continue with its hard stance on these issues. We will not hesitate to stop unsafe mines in order to save the lives of workers who inadvertently fall victims to these lapses," she said.