ANA reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday that it was “highly furious” following reports that the Tau Lekoa gold mine ignored instructions from rock engineers who inspected the mine a few days before a lethal seismic incident.  

On Saturday afternoon four workers who were working overtime at the mine in Orkney, North West, died after they were trapped underground.  NUM health and safety secretary Erick Gcilitshana said in a statement:  “The NUM is highly disturbed by this tragic death of workers.  This accident – like any other mining accidents – could have been prevented.  We are told that recommendations were presented by rock engineers to the mine on how to mine safely.  We want to call upon the department of mineral resources (DMR) to fully investigate this unfortunate accident.  As the NUM, we will make sure that no stone is left unturned.”

• Read this report in full at The Citizen
• Read the NUM’s press statement on this matter at Cosatu Today

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page