Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg faced a serious safety incident on Monday, leading to the loss of eleven miners’ lives. The incident occurred at the 11 Shaft operation, where mineworkers were trapped underground.
The fatal occurrence involved a winder rope, crucial in connecting the personnel conveyance responsible for hoisting employees up and down the shaft. Reports suggest that a cage transporting workers plummeted to the bottom of the shaft, resulting in the tragic loss of lives.
Johan Theron from Implats confirmed, “I can confirm there were 86 people involved in the incident, and that regrettably and tragically 11 have sustained fatal injuries.” Theron added that the rescue operation was concluded on Monday night, stating, “The rescue operation was concluded overnight. There is nobody involved in the incident underground at this stage. Everybody involved has been rescued or recovered.”
The mining community mourns this profound loss, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are expected to shed light on the causes and potential safety lapses. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks faced by mineworkers and the critical importance of stringent safety measures in such environments.