Two mineworkers are fatally injured at Harmony Joel Mine in the Free State Region

NUM Press Statement, 29 March 2018

Two mineworkers are fatally injured at Harmony Joel Mine in the Free State Region

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is deeply hurt and disappointed by the ever-increasing fatalities in the mining industry in South Africa. Two mineworkers were fatally injured at Harmony Joel Mine this morning around 9 am as a result of FOG after a seismic event that happened at the mine.

The fatalities that are happening in the mining industry in South Africa are as a result of the mining companies pricing the loss of human life into their business model. They do not care about the mineworker's lives. They only care about profits.

We call upon employers to put lives of workers first so that we can be able to achieve zero harm.

"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. We are selling our labour for the survival of our families, not our limbs, and lives," said Peter Bailey, NUM Heath, and Safety Chairperson

We call upon the mining companies to invest more money in protecting the lives of workers than focusing more on profits. Mineworkers cannot be sacrificed for profits. We also call on our members and other mineworkers to refuse to work in dangerous conditions.

The NUM conveys its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased during this difficult time. May their soul rest in peace.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Peter Bailey: NUM Health and Safety Chairperson: 082 883 7302
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