A miner died and another six workers were injured at gold-miner AngloGold Ashanti's TauTona operation, near Carletonville, on Friday after a seismic event had triggered a fall-of-ground.

The accident came only four days after a worker had died at the company's nearby Mponeng mine, owing to a tramming accident.

AngloGold Ashanti spokesperson Joanne Jones told Mining Weekly Online that two of the six workers had been seriously injured, but were now in a stable condition.

The company had closed the shaft pillar area of the mine where the accident had taken place, which Jones said would remain closed pending the Department of Minerals and Energy's investigation on August 18.

She added that the company had also conducted its own safety audit of all operations at the mine on Friday.

National Union of Mineworkers spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka commented that the union would like to see mines that were unable to comply with the health and safety standards, pay higher and steeper penalties.

"R1-million is a small amount. We would like to see these mines pay at least 10% of their total revenue [as compensation]," he added.

TauTona produced 409 000 oz of gold in 2007, but reported five fatalities during the 12 months. 

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