An inquiry into a mine accident in Rustenburg which left five people dead and one critically injured is underway, Aquarius Platinum said on Thursday.
“Representatives of the department of mineral resources (DMR) will join management for an in loco investigation at the site of the accident this (Thursday) morning,” said company spokesperson Janet Whitaker.
Late on Tuesday night, seven mine workers contracted to Murray & Roberts Cementation were trapped at Marikana Aquarius Platinum mine when there was a fall of ground.
Five died, one was left critically injured and one was unharmed.
Whitaker said preliminary assessments of the fall of ground in 4 Shaft indicated that an around 500 ton block of rock fell from a hanging wall.
She said that the rock was supported “to industry standards”.
Operations at 4 Shaft remained suspended and would continue to be until an investigation into the cause of the accident, as well as an audit into support compliance and rock conditions, was completed.
The company wanted to retrain and assess all employees on dealing with rock hazards.
It also wanted to review the company code of practice and mine design.
“These processes are underway, and management expects to be able to present the results to the department of mineral resources within two weeks.”
By Wednesday evening, the bodies of all five of the employees who died in the accident were retrieved.
“The process of notifying their next-of-kin is underway.”
On Thursday, the National Union of Mineworkers said that a day of mourning, during which workers would down tools, would be announced soon.
– SAPA