South Africa: Tragedy strikes as 11 workers killed, others injured in mine accident

A South African mining company, Implats, says 11 people have died in an accident its platinum mine on Monday.

A company spokesperson confirmed that 88 people were “involved in the incident” and that 11 people have “unfortunately succumbed to their injuries.”

The accident, which occurred on Monday afternoon at Impala Rustenburg in the North West province, is one of recent similar events in the rich African country.

In an earlier statement, the mining company disclosed that the accident involved an elevator transporting miners up and down the shaft that unexpectedly dropped at 200 metres.

Paramedics and the mine’s safety teams were immediately mobilised after the accident.

Investigations into the incident are underway.

Last month, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) planned protests for better occupational health and safety due to the high number of workers dying in mine accidents.

In 2021, 74 deaths were reported, while 49 mine workers died last year from accidents.

The union also reported that by September this year, 27 mineworkers had been killed in accidents.

Mineral resources remain a strong pillar of SA’s economy.

According to Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, the sector created 23,552 jobs between December 2021 and December 2022, resulting in the overall employment of 472,088 workers.

The contribution of mining to the country’s revenue through royalties stood at R28.45bn in the same period, keeping its percentage contribution to GDP at 7.53%.