Trapped miners: minister to visit mine

People have gathered at the gates leading to the mine and are praying for the trapped miners’ safety. Photo : Supplied

People have gathered at the gates leading to the mine and are praying for the trapped miners’ safety. Photo : Supplied

Published Feb 5, 2016

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Johannesburg – Mineral Resources Minister, Mosebenzi Zwane will visit the Lily Gold Mine on Friday to lend his support following an accident at the Barberton mine early in the morning, the department said.

It was reported on Friday that the main crown pillar collapsed into the underground open stopes, trapping almost 100 miners at the mine owned by Vantage Goldfields Limited at the start of the morning shift.

By lunchtime on Friday, all of the 87 miners who had been working underground at the mine when the collapse occurred near the entrance had been safely brought to the surface.

Zwane, in the statement, expressed concern that the mining sector is experiencing serious incidents and fatalities so early in the year, and called for employers and employees to be vigilant on safety.

“It is worrying that we are seeing such serious accidents so early in the year. We urge all parties to continue prioritizing safety, so that we can realize our ultimate goal of zero harm. It is imperative that each mine worker returns home, unharmed, every day,” Zwane said.

Last week, Zwane released health and safety statistics for 2015, which showed a slight improvement in safety records with fewer fatalities.

Trade unions have also voiced concern about the number of fatalities in the mining industry and urged the minister to conduct an investigation into the cause of the incident.

The minister will be joining the department’s inspectors on the site.

African News Agency

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