Johannesburg – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Thursday publicly complained about being excluded from investigations into the Implats cage plunge disaster that left 12 mine workers dead and 74 others hospitalised.
The incident involved a problem with the shaft’s conveyance system that hoists workers up and down the underground shaft.
The NUM admitted that it was not a “recognised or a majority union” at Impala Platinum, but it represents “a lot” of members at the mine.
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“The NUM is unhappy that since the accident happened on Monday evening, its Health and Safety leaders nationally and regionally have been deliberately blocked by the company and its security from accessing the mine,” said Phillip Vilakazi, NUM deputy president.
“The NUM was not invited to participate in the in-loco inspection.
“What is disturbing is that the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy inspectorate was aware that NUM was not invited and engaged by the company.
“The company is even refusing to give NUM the statistics as to how many members of the NUM have died and those who are injured.”
Whenever there is a tragedy like this, NUM said its Health and Safety structures, both nationally and regionally, “must lead the processes” in terms of representing its members and participating in loco investigations conducted.
“It is very sad that in this case NUM Health and Safety leaders are prevented from entering the mine and participating in processes that are unfolding after the tragic accident which is what they are expected to do.” the union said.
“The NUM is also saddened that another mineworker has died yesterday.”
RELATED: Implats Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 12, Hospitalised Mine Worker Passes Away – The Bulrushes
The union added: “The miner was hospitalised following the accident at Impala Platinum on Monday evening, (27 November 2023)”.
The confirmed fatality brings to 12 the total number of employees who have died due to the 11 Shaft accident.
Of the 86 employees involved in the accident, 74 remain in hospital.
“The NUM sends heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those killed during this difficult time,” the union said.
Relatives began identifying the dead mine workers on Wednesday at a local funeral parlour, but the names of the deceased have not yet been made public.
Earlier this week, Implats said: “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”.
Implats added: “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”.
“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.
