Drilling process at Lily Mine on schedule
Zwane said the DMR is sensitive about people losing their jobs as well as the safety of those having to go underground. The mine is currently closed until it is safe to go underground.
Today (February 26) it has been three weeks since the Lily Mine workers Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule and Solomon Nyerende had been trapped underground.
After updating the minister of mineral resources (DMR) Mosebenzi Zwane on the progress the mine was making in drilling the second escape way, CEO of Lily Mine Mike McChesney accompanied Zwane to a media briefing conducted outside the gates of the mine just after 15:00. Although operations director Mike Begg was part of the entourage, he did not take part in the briefing.
McChesney said he lost count of how many times the minister had visited the site during the past weeks and thanked him and the DMR for the phenomenal support they had been receiving. “I can report this afternoon that the drilling process we initiated about a week ago, is on schedule,” said McChesney and added that they were making good progress. “We hope to be able to give you further updates some time next week.”
Zwane said they were pleased with the progress that was being made. “Health and safety is a priority of the department. That is why we are here.”
He said the DMR is sensitive about people losing their jobs as well as the safety of those having to go underground. The mine is currently closed until it is safe to go underground.
The minister also conveyed a message on behalf of president Jacob Zuma who said his heart and that of government were with the families.
