/ 6 December 2007

Miner killed at Kloof gold mine

A miner was killed on Thursday when a rock fell on him at Kloof gold mine near Westonaria, Gold Fields spokesperson Andrew Davidson said.

”The accident, the result of a rockfall, occurred in a stope at number three shaft 2 936m below ground at 11am,” said Davidson.

Another miner who was working in the stope was injured during the rockfall.

The name of the dead miner would be released once his next of kin was informed.

Davidson said there had been seven deaths at the Kloof mine in the past three months.

”Safety is a priority — we are currently working with unions and the Department of Minerals and Energy,” he said.

The unions and the Department of Minerals and Energy had been informed of Thursday’s accident and a full investigation would be carried out, said Davidson.

On Tuesday, thousands of mineworkers took to the streets of central Johannesburg, urging industry bosses to beef up safety in South African mines.

This year, deaths in the mining industry rose to over 200. — Sapa