Mineworker dies at Modikwa Platinum Mine in Limpopo

Press statement, 28 March 2019

Mineworker dies at Modikwa Platinum Mine in Limpopo

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is shocked and highly disappointed that another mineworker has lost his life yesterday at Modikwa Platinum Mine in the North East region on what is reported to be a fall of ground. Modikwa Platinum Mine is one of the biggest platinum producers in the Eastern Limb, situated next to DRIEKOP in Limpopo.

"The NUM is saying one death is too many and we call on the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to start implementing the Mine Health and Safety Act to its fullest. It is high time that the department starts with a process to amend the Mine Health and Safety Act no. 29 of 1996 section 86A 45, in that those who are legally appointed by section 4.1 and section 3.1 of the Act should be held responsible for any death that happens within their area of responsibility and we further call for a harsher sentencing of such perpetrators if found guilty of any wrongdoing and we appeal to the lawmakers to propose a long sentencing and heavy penalty to any Mine that kills a person," said Phillip Mankge, NUM North East Regional Secretary.

The NUM strongly believes that drastic action is needed to compel the mining industry to comply with safety standards and procedures. The NUM remains of the view that the state must undertake a technical audit into the mining industry to amongst others do an audit of the aging and ailing infrastructure that continue to fail hundreds of miners and leaving thousands of people as orphans.

We call on the state to hold the industry fully accountable for its failures and adopt a no-nonsense approach when it comes to mine deaths.

For more information, please contact:

Phillip Mankge: NUM North East Regional Secretary: 076 053 3401/ 083 536 5947
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