Mining Weekly reports that rescuers have retrieved the bodies of four mine workers trapped underground during a seismic accident on Saturday afternoon at Tau Lekoa mine in Orkney, North West.  

They had been trapped by a rock fall induced by a 0.8 magnitude seismic event.  The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said rescuers had been faced with a difficult operation.  “Cosatu and NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) leadership has been observing efforts by rescue team to recover bodies.  We have been appraised that the recovery operation was difficult and sympathise with the families affected by the tragedy,” the federation said on Monday.  It called on the Department of Mineral Resources to prioritise the safety of workers to curb similar incidents from occurring.  North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo was due to visit the mine later on Monday.

• A short report is at Mining Weekly
• See too, North West premier to visit Tau Lekoa mine after death of miners, at EWN
• And also, Mining companies must take responsibility‚ Cosatu says after mine accident, at TimesLive

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page