A preliminary investigation has started into the blast at Gold Field’s Beatrix mine, which claimed one life during destruction of outdated explosives, the Department of Minerals and Energy said on Thursday.
”Officials from the regional office of the department would conduct an in loco investigation into the occurrence,” said Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica.
”This investigation will then be followed by a public investigation in terms of the Mine Health and Safety [Act].”
Sonjica expressed regret at the loss of yet another life at one of South Africa’s mines.
”This is of course the loss of one life too [many] and is therefore not at all desirable,” she said in a statement.
The incident took place just before 9am on Wednesday on an isolated part of the mine property, well away from mine offices and shafts and did not affect production.
Sonjica said the enquiry will look at whether there was sufficient training for the deceased and others, and whether there was enough supervision at the time of the incident.
She said the investigation will determine if everything was done to ensure the safety of the victim and possibly any other person near the site of the blast.
”We need to collate information and thereby establish the root cause of the accident.”
Sonjica said the findings of the investigation and its recommendations would stipulate if any further steps need to be taken.
Two other people were held for observation overnight in hospital after the blast.
Beatrix mine is between Theunissen and Welkom. — Sapa