JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – South African miner Simmer & Jack Mines (Simmers) has resumed drilling and blasting operations at all six Buffelsfontein shafts, which were closed after a fatal accident in early May.

The temporary stoppage of its underground operations had cost Buffelsfontein some 120 kg, or 3 858 oz, in lost gold production, Simmers said on Tuesday.

Underground mining was suspended on May 6, after a fall-of-ground at the mine's No 5 shaft killed three workers.

"The safety audit has been completed to the satisfaction of the Department of Mineral Resources, and the independent rock engineers and we are now focusing on meeting our production and safety targets going forward," said Simmers CEO Nico Schoeman.

Production from surface sources, which accounted for just over 25% of the mine's total gold output, was unaffected by the stoppage.

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