JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) − Two of South Africa’s mines were closed on Monday after fatal accidents occurred over the weekend.

The incidents occurred in the country’s North West province, with one accident at Samancor’s Millsel chrome mine on Saturday, and the other at Anglo Platinum’s (AngloPlat's) Thembelani mine on Sunday.

AngloPlat spokesperson Thabisile Phumo and Samancor spokesperson Sunel Pretorius confirmed that the mines had been shut in line with South Africa’s Section 54 legislation.

The companies added that investigation by the country’s Department of Mineral Resources and union representatives had been launched.

The two fatalities brought the total number of mineworkers killed in South African mines to nine, even before the first month of the year has ended.

Last year, 128 miners were killed in the country’s mines.

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