Rustenburg – The Implats disaster death toll went up on Wednesday with the death of an injured employee, bringing the total of deceased mine workers to 12.
“It is 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,” Implats said.
“Implats has offered its condolences to and remains in close contact with his family.”
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Reports of the death, put another damper on an already gloomy day when relatives of the deceased were identifying bodies of loved ones at a funeral parlour in Rustenburg.
“Of the 86 employees involved in the accident, 74 remain in hospital,”‘ Implats said.
“Today’s fatality brings to 12 the total number of employees who have died due to the 11 Shaft accident.”
In line with the mine’s long-running “We Care programme”, Implats said it 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,” said Implats.
Production remained suspended across the entire Impala Rustenburg mining complex for a second day on Wednesday, to allow for mourning, and to conduct precautionary internal and third-party audits on the conveyance and winding systems at every shaft.
“Production at 11 Shaft and 11C Shaft will remain suspended while internal investigations and inquiries into the accident are completed, remedial actions and repairs are undertaken, and until regulatory approval is granted for the resumption of production,” said Implats.
“Production at all other Impala Rustenburg shafts will resume on Thursday, 30 November 2023.
“Implats will continue to provide updates as and when new information becomes available.”
The company said the probe into the malfunction of the cable that caused the cage to plunge was already underway.
