Two main sections of AngloGold Ashanti's TauTona mine would remain closed for another day, following an inspection by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) on Monday into the death of a worker last week.

AngloGold Ashanti spokesperson Joanne Jones told Mining Weekly Online that a Section 54 notice had been issued to the mine, formalising the temporary closure of the two sections of the mine, which it had already closed on Friday, following a fatal fall-of-ground incident.

The mine on Friday reported that a miner had died after a seismic event had triggered a fall-of-ground, only four days after a tramming accident had led to the death of a worker at its Mponeng mine.

AngloGold Ashanti had subsequently closed the shaft pillar area of the TauTona mine where the fall-of-ground occurred, as well as a second area close to the shaft pillar area, but not directly part of the shaft pillar area, where some seismic activity was experienced later on Friday.

Jones explained that the two areas represented 20% of the mine's production and that it hoped to start reopening the areas by Tuesday afternoon.

"We are in touch with the DME on an ongoing basis and we hope to reopen the areas as soon as possible," she commented.

She added that the mine would hopefully reopen the second area it had closed on Tuesday, as well as start to reopen certain sections of the shaft pillar area, which it would do gradually.

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

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