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Exxaro suspends operations at SA zinc refinery after fatal blast

10th September 2009

By: Mariaan Webb

Creamer Media Contract Publishing Editor

  

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JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) - South African diversified-miner Exxaro Resources has suspended operations at its Zincor refinery in Springs, Gauteng, after an explosion killed three people and left 12 injured on Thursday.

Exxaro said operations were halted to allow for investigations to take place, as well as for the full restoration of electricity supply, which was damaged in the incident.

The company would take a decision on restarting activities at the refinery by Friday.

Preliminary information showed that an explosion had occurred in the maintenance contractors' storage area situated near the plant, Exxaro explained. The accident happened while contractors were gathered and being briefed before work started.

Newswire Sapa quoted Netcare 911 spokesperson Nick Dollman as saying that three people had died on the scene as a result of shrapnel and the force of a sudden blast, which had thrown some people outside the building.

Zincor is South Africa's only zinc refinery, processing some 20 000 t/y of zinc concentrates, supplied by the Rosh Pinah and Black Mountain mines, while about 20% is imported.

 

Edited by Mariaan Webb
Creamer Media Contract Publishing Editor

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