Rustenburg mine tragedy: Death toll climbs to 12

Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) has confirmed another fatality following Monday’s conveyance cage accident at its Rustenburg mine.

Eleven people were reported dead on Monday, with the 12th person passing away in hospital from his injuries yesterday.

While production at 11 Shaft, where the accident happened, and 11C Shaft will remain suspended to allow for an internal investigation, remedial actions and repairs, production at all other shafts resumed today.

The suspended operations will only resume once regulatory approval is granted for the resumption of production.

Implat’s Johan Theron confirmed the latest fatality in a statement and added: “In line with the group’s long-running We Care programme, Implats will provide ongoing support to the families of the deceased and has set aside funds to assist with their funerals. In addition to standard company funding, the group will also financially support the children of our late colleagues, from birth through to the completion of their tertiary studies.”

The statement adds that 74 of the 86 employees involved in the incident remain in hospital.

Probe into fatal incident

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe visited the mine on Tuesday, and confirmed that his department will investigate the incident.

According to SANews, Mantashe said: “We are mourning them [and] we are sympathising with their families. Impala has committed to working with the families and the department. I am sitting with the chief inspector of mines. His responsibility will be to lead an investigation into the disaster.”