Pretoria - Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane has called on mining companies to prioritise the health and safety of its workers following the deaths of four mineworkers at Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg.
Minister Zwane has conveyed his condolences to the families of the mineworkers who died after a fire broke out underground on Friday.
“In terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act, I have instructed that an investigation should commence urgently to determine what led to the incident.
“Furthermore, no mining will take place until the department has declared the area safe for workers,” Minister Zwane said.
He has met with the mine’s management to express his concern on matters of health and safety.
“We have always maintained that the loss of one life, is one too many, and the goal for every mining operation should be that every worker returns home unharmed every single day,” Minister Zwane said.
He said the department will continue to enforce compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act in order to ensure that mining-related deaths, injuries and ill health are reduced, and ultimately reach its goal of “zero harm”. – SAnews.gov.za
