JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed Northam Platinum’s Zondereinde mine No 1 shaft would be out of commission for up to six weeks, following an incident that occurred during routine maintenance work.
The company explained that the incident occurred on Sunday, when a counterweight in one of the shaft’s hoisting compartments became detached and fell down to the bottom, causing damage to the steelwork between 12 and 13 levels, about 2 000 m underground.
Production at the shaft would be reduced by about 50% during the repair period, but the No 2 shaft would remain fully operational.
Further investigations into the cause of the incident would be carried out together with the Department of Mineral Resources.
There were no injuries.