The Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu, has expressed shock and deep regret at the loss of nine lives at Impala Platinum’s number 14 shaft in Rustenburg, North West province.
Minister Shabangu would like to convey sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the miners who lost their lives.
The Minister, accompanied by the Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources, Advocate Sandile Nogxina, will on Tuesday 21 July 2009 visit the scene of the incident and will receive a briefing from the mine’s management.
The Chief Inspector of Mines has issued an order to stop all mechanised operations at Impala utilising the board-and-pillar mining system to allow for a full investigation of the ground conditions in their workings and the local and regional support regime at Impala Platinum.
Investigations are continuing.
Enquiries:
Jeremy Michaels
Cell: 082 772 1122
Issued by: Department of Mineral Resources
21 July 2009
