Uranium and gold producer Simmer & Jack on Monday reported that a seismic event at its Buffelsfontein gold mine claimed the life of one mineworker, and injured another.

The incident took place at the mine’s No 2 shaft, triggering the fall of ground in the stope where the miners were working.

Spokesperson Gail Strauss said mining operations at the shaft were suspended pending a review by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) of the seismic safety initiatives at the shaft.

Strauss said a tripartite review, consisting of the DME, organised labour, and an independent rock engineer, would be put in place to ascertain if current seismic systems could be improved upon.

Measures currently in place to manage seismic activities include a network of electronic sensors, which monitor and attempt to predict seismic activities. This forms part of a regional initiative to share information on seismic events in the Klerksdorp area.

The system is monitored by a seismologist who analyses the data and determines the high-risk areas, so that advanced warnings can be given to crews to withdraw in the event of seismic activity.

In addition, Simmer & Jack also makes use of fibre-reinforced creting in the underground workings. This strengthens the walls and creates flexibility in the event of a seismic event.

However, Strauss said at the time of the accident, the workers were still in the process of opening the shaft, and had not yet reached the point of implementing the creting.

The No 2 shaft produces an estimated 3 kg of gold a day.

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