Inquest hears from former mine geologist
The Lily Mine inquest will continue on Monday, November 22 at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court.
The inquest* into the deaths of three Lily Mine workers in 2016 is currently on a break and will start again in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on November 22.
The most recent person to testify in the inquest was former Lily Mine geologist Michael Begg who was present at the court on Friday November 12.
An office container with three Lily Mine staff, Solomon Nyirenda, Pretty Nkambule and Yvonne Mnisi, collapsed into a sinkhole on February 5, 2016, trapping it and the workers underground.
The container and the bodies have not been recovered. The workers are presumed dead.
ALSO READ: Lily Mine inquest into tragedy continues
Begg was present at the search and rescue efforts just after the tragedy, and spoke in court on Friday about when the container, known as the lamp room, was first constructed as well as the structure of the mine and when mining on certain levels commenced.
The court had previously heard from former Lily Mine junior blaster Dean Ackerman that the mine had been working and drilling the crown pillar, which had collapsed in 2016.
Begg said that he did not agree with this statement. He said mining did not take place at the crown pillar.
He also testified about the illegal mining that had allegedly taken place at the mine, saying the illegal miners had been well-equipped.
He also testified that the search and rescue of the three workers would have continued if the crown pillar had not further deteriorated during the rescue efforts.
ALSO READ: Lily Mine inquest hears from alleged illegal miner
The inquest is set to continue at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on November 22.
*According to the Inquests Act 58 of 1959, an inquest is held in the case of a death or alleged death apparently occurring from other than natural causes and for matters incidental thereto. It is not a trial – there are no accused parties. The procedure seeks to determine the circumstances within which the Lily Mine tragedy had occurred. Lowvelder will continue to attend the Lily Mine inquest proceedings throughout and report the versions of all parties called to testify.
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