Johannesburg - The mining industry has reported yet another fatality, this time at Aquarius Platinum’s joint venture with Impala.
Aquarius alerted shareholders to the death of an employee in a statement on Wednesday morning. It says the unnamed employee was fatally injured in a fall of ground incident on Monday.
Falls of ground account for about 30 percent of mining fatalities, with general incidents such as falling from a height, make up the bulk of accidents, at 35 percent.
Transportation-related injuries account for some 17 percent of deaths,
Last year, mine fatalities in South Africa dropped to the lowest level ever recorded at 84.
Of the 84 deaths, 44 occurred in gold mines, 15 in platinum mines, nine in coal mines, and 16 in other mines such as those extracting diamond, chrome, copper, and iron ore.
A total of 93 miners died in 2013; 37 at gold mines, 27 at platinum mines, seven at coal mines and 22 on other mines. The 2014 figure was an 86 percent drop from the 615 deaths recorded in 1993.
So far, 2015 has seen more than ten miners killed, although official statistics will only be made available in January.
Aquarius says its “board and management express their sincere condolences to the family of the deceased,” whose name is being withheld until the next of kin have been informed.
It adds the relevant regulatory authorities have been informed and a full investigation is underway.
Mimosa is jointly held by Implats and Aquarius and is located on the Wedza Geological Complex on the Zimbabwean Great Dyke 20 kilometres west of the town of Zvishavane.
IOL