The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) reports that the seventy-second mining death of the year took place at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu operations outside Carletonville at 10:45 on December 10.

In a statement, AMCU says the report it received pointed to a team leader being struck by a snatch block as it came loose from its anchoring points at 98 level 16 X/C West 1 stope gully.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of this breadwinner and also to his loved ones and his colleagues at work,” says AMCU health and safety national chairperson Xolani Bokoloshe.

He adds that the team leader was 35 years old, leaving behind a wife and two children.

AMCU further says its branch leadership and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) will perform an in loco inspection at the mine in the near future. “We will participate in the investigation and leave no stone unturned to find out exactly what led to this terrible accident”, says Bokoloshe.

He says the latest incident is the third of its type at Kusasalethu this year and, according to AMCU’s records it is also the third “accident of this nature” in the mining industry this year.

Meanwhile, AMCU says it has consistently requested the strengthening of the DMRE through the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), and specifically for mine bosses to be held criminally liable for accidents where negligence can be proven.

Also, AMCU recently requested the DMRE to lead an inquest into the rise in mining fatalities this year, after 72 miners have died. This compares to 60 fatalities in 2020 and 51 in 2019.

“Harmony is now second with 14 workers killed for 2021, just behind Sibanye-Stillwater that is still leading the pack with 18 killed for this year. It cannot continue like this. Something must be done,” says Bokoloshe.

He adds that it is important that the DMRE strengthens its inspectorate and proactively intervenes where safety infrastructure and protocols are found to be lacking.

The mining industry has also expressed concern about the rise in fatalities this year.

During MineSafe 2021, held on November 25, stakeholders from the DMRE, the Minerals Council South Africa, organised labour, suppliers’ organisations, professional associations, the Mine Health and Safety Council and Mining Qualifications Authority have committed to taking full accountability in addressing the challenges besetting the mining sector.