Fatal incident at SAMANCOR Eastern Chrome Mine in Limpopo

Press Statement,  29 June 2019

FATAL INCIDENT AT SAMANCOR EASTERN CHROME MINE IN LIMPOPO

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is deeply saddened that its member was fatally injured at Samancor Eastern Chrome Mine in Limpopo. The fatal incident happened on the 26 of June 2019 midnight at Tweefontein shaft due to a fall of ground. The deceased was a NUM member from Lesotho.

"As the NUM, we believe that all accidents can be prevented including this one. Fall of rocks has been one of the major killers in the mining industry. We call upon the mining companies to invest more money in protecting the lives of workers than focusing more on profits," said Phillip Mankge, NUM North East Regional Secretary.

"We call on the mining industry to take serious reflection about these fatalities happening in the mining industry. Government should investigate possible safe international standards and it should benchmark with other mining industries around the world," Mankge added.

We call upon the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to trigger its investigation to the incident and as the NUM we will participate in the investigation to leave no stone unturned.

The NUM is of the view that one death in the industry is just one death too many...production should not and must not be at the expense of mineworkers' lives."

It is unacceptable that mineworkers are denied their basic human right to work in an environment that guarantees their safety and that instead they are expected to go to work to die.

The NUM would like to convey its deepest and heartfelt condolences to family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.

For more information, please contact:

Phillip Mankge: NUM North East Regional Secretary: 076 053 3401
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
Twitter: @Num_Media

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