In a devastating incident at an Implats mining facility near Rustenburg, eleven individuals have lost their lives, and 75 others sustained injuries in an underground accident. The tragic event occurred during a “serious safety incident” involving a winder rope at the mine’s 11 Shaft operation on Monday.
Details of the Incident
The winder rope, connected to the personnel conveyance responsible for hoisting employees up and down the shaft, was implicated in the accident. The conveyance, with a capacity for 35 personnel on each of its three levels, was reportedly hoisting employees to the surface at the end of their shift when the counterweight became trapped by the jack catches.
Implats CEO Nico Muller stated, “Investigations into the cause of the incident have commenced.”
Immediate Response and Rescue Efforts
Following the incident, paramedics and rescue teams were promptly mobilized, and the injured employees were transported to four hospitals in the area. Muller reassured that all 86 employees involved in the incident had been accounted for, and the mine rescue operation was successfully completed.
Mining operations at Impala Rustenburg were suspended on Tuesday as a result of the tragic incident.
Implats CEO Expresses Grief
Nico Muller expressed the profound sorrow felt by Implats, calling it “the darkest day in the history of Implats.” He conveyed condolences for the lives lost and the individuals affected by the accident, emphasizing the company’s commitment to ensuring all next of kin were contacted.
“This is the darkest day in the history of Implats, and our hearts are heavy for the lives lost and the individuals affected by this devastating accident. We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our colleagues,” said Muller.
Industry Impact and Safety Concerns
Minerals Council South Africa shared that, before the Implats accident, the mining industry had recorded 41 fatalities for the year, compared to 44 in the previous year. The CEO of the Minerals Council, Mzila Mthenjane, expressed concern about the setback in the industry’s safety goals, urging a renewed focus on safety programs and initiatives.
“This is a terrible blow to our ambition of ending 2023 with fewer fatalities than last year when there were 49 fatalities, the lowest on record, and the continuation of our journey towards zero harm,” said Mthenjane.
The tragic incident at the Implats mining facility serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining focus and vigilance regarding safety in mining operations. The industry now faces renewed calls for a reinvigoration of safety programs to prevent future tragedies.
