By: Natasha Archary
Impala Platinum (Implats) has confirmed that the death toll in the mining tragedy has risen to 12.
This after one of the employees who was hospitalised after the elevator accident at the Rustenburg mine on Monday, 27 November died on Wednesday, 29 November.
On Monday, 11 miners died, and 75 others were hospitalised when shaft personnel conveyance was hoisting employees to the surface at the end of their shift, and the conveyance of the elevator unexpectedly started descending rapidly.
In a statement, Implats confirmed that the death toll from the tragedy is now 12, with 74 employees still in hospital.
“It is with deep sadness and regret Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) reports that an employee who was hospitalised following the accident at Impala Rustenburg’s 11 Shaft on Monday 27 November 2023, has died.
Implats has offered its condolences to and remains in close contact with his family.
Of the 86 employees involved in the accident, 74 remain in hospital. Today’s fatality bring to 12 the total number of employees who have died due to the 11 Shaft accident.
In line with the Group’s long-running We Care programme, Implats will provide ongoing support to the families of the deceased and has set aside funds to assist with their funerals.
In addition to standard company funding, the Group will also financially support the children of our late colleagues, from birth through to the completion of their tertiary studies.”
With deep sadness and regret Implats reports that an employee, who was hospitalised following the accident at Impala Rustenburg’s 11 Shaft on Monday 27 November 2023, has died. pic.twitter.com/JQuv2ta5Vg
— Implats (@Implats) November 29, 2023
Meanwhile, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) is calling for Impala Platinum (Implats) management to be held accountable and charged with culpable homicide.
Amcu President, Joseph Mathunjwa has accused Implats management of neglience, saying the incident and loss of life could have been avoided if the elevators were service regularly and safety measures were in place.
Production at Implats remains suspended to allow for mourning, and to conduct precautionary internal and third-party audits on the conveyance and winding systems at every shaft.
Implats says production at 11 Shaft and 11C Shaft will remain suspended while internal investigations and inquiries into the accident are complete, remedial actions and repairs are undertaken, and until regulatory approval is granted for the resumption of production.
Production at all other Impala Rustenburg shaft will resume on Thursday, 30 November 2023.
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