Mine deaths tally up to 155

Johannesburg - Trade union Solidarity on Monday reported that the latest mining accident at Impala Platinum in Rustenburg has brought the number of fatalities at South African mines to 155 so far this year.

The trade union said an employee of Murray & Roberts Cementation died as a result of his injuries on Friday in Rustenburg after sustaining serious head injuries in an underground rock fall in Impala Shaft 20 on Thursday last week.

All activities in the specific section where the accident took place have been halted until further notice.

According to the trade union, a compliance order was served on Murray & Roberts in August after representatives from Solidarity pointed out "extremely unsafe" conditions at the mine.

Following a special safety audit conducted in October, Murray & Roberts agreed to immediately notify Solidarity of any incidents and accidents at all Murray & Roberts workplaces so that the trade union could investigate the scene of the accident with the inspector.

But the trade union said the company had already failed twice to follow the agreed procedure.

"We find it very concerning that Murray & Roberts failed to report this incident, as agreed only three months ago," said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.

"Safety should be every employer's highest priority. The safety crisis at South African mines will only improve if all the role-players put all their cards on the table and start working together," Kleynhans said.

- I-Net Bridge