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Press statement, 26 July 2018

 

More than 100 mineworkers from Gold One's Modder East are being treated for smoke inhalation

 

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has learnt with shock that more than 600 miners were rescued after an underground fire that broke out in the early hours of today at Gold One’s Modder East operations in Springs, east of Johannesburg. The NUM is highly disturbed by this incident, especially as it take place hardly two week s after six workers horribly died when a fire broke out underground at a Palabora Mining Company mineshaft in Limpopo.

 

The NUM is reliably informed that a bell truck caught fire while operating underground. More than 100 employees suffered from smoke inhalation and are currently treated at Parkland Hospital.

 

We demand an immediate investigation by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) as the regulator on this unfortunate incident. No stone must be left unturned. We further urge the DMR to play its role in ensuring that mines are safe and put the safety of the mineworkers as a priority. We also commend the efforts by the rescue team in making sure that all workers were brought to surface alive.

 

As the NUM, we vehemently condemn this kind of incident as they are becoming a trend. There is already high number of fatal accident in the mining industry around the country, so we are saying this is enough.

 

Duncan Luvuno: NUM Health and Safety Chairperson: 082 335 2250

Livhuwani Mammburu: NUM National Spokesperson: 083 809 3257

 

The National Union of Mineworkers

 

7 Rissik Street.

 

Cnr Frederick

 

Johannesburg

 

Tel: 011 377 2111

 

Cell: 083 809 3257

 

Web: www.num.org.za<http://www.num.org.za>

 

Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167