26 July 2006
Minerals and Energy Minister, Buyelwa Sonjica, has welcomed the recent
findings made by magistrate DC Torlage, with regard to the mine accident that
occurred on 20 September 2004 at the Number 1 Shaft, Northam (Zondereinde)
Platinum Mine in the magisterial district of Thabazimbi, Limpopo. These
findings are a culmination of a joint inquest/inquiry held in terms of the
Inquest Act, 1959 (Act No. 58 of 1959) and the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996
(Act No. 29 of 1996), to determine the cause of death of nine miners who died
in an underground fire. The findings were presented on Friday, 21 July
2006.
The inquest was undertaken in response to an instruction by the Minister to
her staff members to conduct an investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the facts which led to the underground fire and subsequent
fatalities. In an effort to establish these facts, the Minister availed Mr RS
McLoughlin, Principal Inspector of Mines, to act as assessor at the joint
inquest/inquiry and provided for various experts to conduct tests and to give
evidence at the inquest. The inquest was led by the prosecutor, Mr RS van
Rooyen.
The findings re-iterated that a formal risk assessment was not conducted to
determine the consequence of a frictional fire or the effectiveness of the
escape strategy. It was stressed that the commissioning, operation, maintenance
and decommissioning of belt conveyors should be such that mine employees can
perform their work without endangering their health and safety or that of any
other persons.
The Minister welcomed these findings and said they sent a clear message that
unsafe and/or unhealthy mine practices would not be tolerated. She said she
hoped that the mining industry would immediately introduce the necessary
pro-active measures in order to prevent a similar belt conveyor accident
elsewhere. Minister Sonjica wishes to express her sincere condolences to the
families and relatives of those who lost their lives as a result of this
accident.
In addition, the Minister wishes to thank Mr DC Torlage, the prosecutor, the
legal representatives who acted on behalf of the unions, associations and
management as well as the witnesses who participated, for the cordial manner in
which the inquest was conducted.
Enquiries:
Ms Bontle Mafuna
Chief Director: Communication
Tel: (012) 317 8086
Cell: 082 571 4310
E-mail: bontle.mafuna@dme.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Minerals and Energy
26 July 2006
