The Department of Mineral Resources issued a notice of orders, suspension and instructions in terms section 54 (1)(A) and 54 (1)(B) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996 (Act 29 of 1996) to PMC following an incident that claimed 6 miners life’s after a conveyer belt caught fire last Sunday.

According to the notice issued certain occurances were observed by the DMR and among others where that:

The refuge bay where three employees were found deceased was found not to be life sustainable in terms of air supply.

Life sustaining services installed to the bay are not of fire material or fire protected.

The conveyer belt can operate even if the suppression system is faulty.

PMC is instructed to withdraw all affected people, other than those who are required to assist in taking steps to fixing the place of safety and conduct a proper risk assessment on refuge bay design, location and standards in terms of regulation 16.6.

PMC is also instructed to immediately relieve the 2.13.3.1 mechanical engineer appointed for conveyer belt C5, and 2.13.1 chief engineer from making health and safety decisions.

Furthermore these two officials must prepare seperate presentations to the principal inspector of Mines stating reasons why their certificates of compentency should not be suspended.

PMC is also instructed to stop all conveger belts at the mine and fix deviations on Regulation 5.1 report done during 2018 report first quarter.