4 October 2007
President Thabo Mbeki has expressed his utmost satisfaction with the
successful rescue of 3 200 miners who were trapped underground at the Harmony
Gold's Elandsrand Mine near Carletonville since yesterday.
The President congratulated Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs, Ms
Buyelwa Sonjica, who, upon learning of the incident late last night, sent a
team of inspectors, and went to the mine herself this morning and spent the day
and this evening there, the mine management and the leadership of the National
Union of Mine Workers for their collective effort in the rescue effort.
President Mbeki said that the collective effort demonstrated in the rescue
effort is testimony of a true South African spirit.
Furthermore, the President has asked the Minister to conduct an audit of all
the mines to determine whether they meet health and safety standards as
prescribed in law.
Finally, the President wished all the miners a speedy recovery and hoped
that the mine will re-open soon after all the necessary safety requirements had
been satisfied.
Issued by: The Presidency
4 October 2007
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
