Tragedy struck at a major South African platinum mine as 11 lives were claimed, and 75 individuals suffered injuries when an elevator malfunctioned during its ascent to the surface, according to the mine’s operators on Tuesday.
Impala Platinum disclosed a “devastating accident” at its Rustenburg mine, situated northwest of Johannesburg, on Monday, coinciding with the departure of more than 80 employees from a shaft at the end of their shift.
The company raised the alert just before 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) after the lift “unexpectedly initiated a descent,” as reported by the company.
‘Its rapid descent was stopped by the conveyance counterweight becoming trapped by the jack catches,’ it said in a statement.
Jack catches are safety systems intended to stop lifts and underground trains from rolling back in case of an accident.
‘Our hearts are heavy for the lives lost and the individuals affected by this devastating accident,’ Impala Platinum’s (Implats) CEO, Nico Muller, said in a statement.
‘We are deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our colleagues and are in the process of ensuring all next of kin have been contacted’.
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As per the company’s statement, 75 workers were injured and were moved to local hospitals, where they received admission for required treatment.
Johan Theron, a spokesman for Implats, informed AFP that among the injured, some faced severe injuries, most grappled with ankle and leg fractures, while others managed to walk away with minor scratches.
All 86 employees involved were safely accounted for as the company confirmed the completion of rescue operations.
Implats declared the suspension of all mine operations on Tuesday, allowing for the ongoing investigation into the accident.
‘Implats is offering ongoing support to the families and colleagues of those lost in service,’ said Miller. ‘We also hold our injured colleagues in our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time.’
South Africa is the world’s leading producer of platinum.
Mine accidents are common in South Africa, where hundreds of thousands work in the industry.
It’s common for lifts in deep mines to have the capacity to carry more than 100 people at the same time.
Despite annual fatalities among mineworkers numbering in the dozens, there has been a reduction in these numbers over the last two decades, attributed to improved safety standards.
Government statistics for the year 2022 reveal approximately 50 fatalities in the mining industry.
In 2021, the Rustenburg Implats mine saw a tragic occurrence when a mudslide hit one of the shafts, resulting in the loss of several mine workers.
The devastating Coalbrook disaster in 1960 resulted in the loss of over 430 coal miners’ lives.