NUM demands urgent action to locate missing mineworker at Tau CAPM mine

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is deeply concerned and urgently demands immediate and decisive action from the management of Tau CAPM Mine in Matlosana following the disappearance of one of its members. The mineworker was last seen underground on Friday, 2 May 2025.

The NUM vehemently insists that Tau CAPM Mine cannot continue its operations as usual while the whereabouts of this worker remain unknown and they have not been safely returned to their family. The employer bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety and well-being of all its employees, including locating them should they go missing within the confines of the mine in Orkney.

The NUM has consistently raised concerns regarding the slow adoption of advanced technology to aid in locating individuals in underground emergencies. The sluggish pace at which mines implement readily available technological devices for tracking and locating missing personnel is unacceptable and puts the lives of mineworkers at unnecessary risk.

The union demands full transparency from the mine regarding the search efforts conducted over the past five days and a clear outline of the steps that will be taken moving forward. The family of the missing mineworker urgently demands the safe return of their father.

Masibulele Naki, NUM Health and Safety Secretary stated, "The lack of progress in locating our member after five days is deeply troubling. It is the mine's duty to utilize all available resources and expertise to find this worker and provide answers to his distraught family. We cannot accept a situation where mineworkers go missing without a swift and effective response."

The NUM calls on the Department of Mineral Resources to closely monitor the situation and ensure that Tau CAPM Mine is taking all necessary measures to locate the missing worker.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Masibulele Naki, NUM Health and Safety Secretary, 073 333 7745

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/10086002340216