Department of Mineral Resources to investigate cause of fire
Minister Ramatlhodi lauds rescue teams: 'They make us proud'
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) will lead the investigation together with management, unions and employees into the events that led to the fire that left hundreds of miners trapped on Sunday.
Findings of this investigation will be communicated in due course.
At approximately 9.40am that day, a total of 486 employees were trapped underground at the company’s Kusasalethu mine when a fire started on the mine’s 7 level approximately 2 300 meters below surface. All of them were eventually brought to surface following a successful operation undertaken by mine rescue teams.
Later that day the Minister of Mineral Resources, Ngoako Ramatlhodi met with management and unions where he was briefed.
Speaking at the briefing, the Minister said “I came here to satisfy myself as to the real situation on the ground. We are very grateful that all of those who went underground have been accounted for. I want to commend the rescue teams, in particular. I have met with them and I was moved to see them risk their lives to save lives. They make us proud.
“I want to thank management for co-ordinating the rescue efforts, in close collaboration with the unions, and for the measures they have in place at the mine, and the unions for their efforts. But most of all, I want to commend the employees, for doing what they were trained to do.”
Alwyn Pretorius, Harmony’s chief operating officer added “We will participate fully in the investigation into the events that led to the fire. Whatever answers are arrived at, from both the official DMR investigation and our own internal enquiry, will be used to inform measures to be taken to prevent a recurrence.
“We are, of course, gratified that the systems we had in place – starting with the refuge bays and the incredibly courageous and well-trained Mine Rescue team members – worked so effectively. To the rescue teams, Harmony management offers its gratitude and admiration.”
Harmony acknowledges all involved – employees, the unions, mine management and members of the DMR safety inspectorate – who worked so hard yesterday to ensure the positive outcome to a potentially dangerous situation.
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