JOHANNESBURG – The Chamber of Mines on Tuesday extended its “heartfelt sympathies” to the families, friends, and colleagues of the three employees who died in a fall of ground accident at Harmony’s Kusasalethu mine near Carletonville.

Five miners were trapped underground on Friday after a fall of ground at the gold mine. Three bodies have been brought to the surface. Rescuers continue to search for the remaining two mine workers.

Chamber President Mxolisi Mgojo said: “Our thoughts are with those who were involved in the incident. We commend Harmony’s commitment to the search and rescue activities and to the collaboration between the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) that has made this possible”.

Mgojo added: “We also thank those who have and continue to work tirelessly to reach their colleagues since the incident occurred, including the volunteer members of Mine Rescue Services who have come from all parts of South Africa”.

South Africa has the world’s deepest mines (as deep as 4 000 m below the surface in some cases), which the Chamber said was challenging and brought with it associated risks and hazards.

There has been a sustained reduction in the number of fatalities and fall of ground incidents. Since 1994, the number of fatalities in the industry declined by around 88%, while fatalities as a result of fall of ground incidents declined by 92% over the same period.

“The industry remains committed to achieving the collective aim – between mining companies, unions and government – of Zero Harm, ensuring that every single mining employee returns home safe and unharmed from work at the end of every day,” said the Chamber.

Meanwhile, Harmony said it was aiming to complete the rescue of the two remaining miners trapped underground on Tuesday.