JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed Gold Fields on Tuesday confirmed a fatality at its Driefontein mine outside Carletonville.

Spokesperson Sven Lunsche told Mining Weekly Online that a worker died in a fall of ground accident early on Tuesday, after which Goldfields had closed the western section of the mine. Shafts 6, 7, 8 and 10 would remain closed until an inspection was completed.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said that 12 people have died in the country’s mines in January alone, with the latest fatality bringing the figure to 13.

The NUM reiterated its call for company officials to be arrested when workers died in preventable accidents, said national secretary for health and safety Erick Gcilitshana.

“We will forge ahead with the campaign to ensure the necessary amendments to the Mine, Health and Safety Act are put in place for the prosecution of mine bosses,” he added.
 

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