/ 17 September 2008

NUM reports fatality at Implats Rustenburg ops

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Wednesday reported a fatality at Impala Platinum's Rustenburg operations.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Wednesday reported a fatality at Impala Platinum’s Rustenburg operations.

“The fatality is due to a locomotive and the details are still sketchy,” the trade union said in a statement.

This is the fourth fatality reported at a South African platinum operation within a week and brings the number of fatalities at South African mines to 121 this year.

Impala Platinum’s larger rival, Anglo Platinum, came under fire earlier this week after another fatality at its Amandebult operation in Rustenburg, early on Monday morning.

The Anglo Platinum employee lost his life when a hopper derailed.

“Fatalities continue to rise daily while companies run all the way to the banks,” the NUM said.

It said it was “shocked to see these turn of events”.

Meanwhile, Anglo Platinum’s Amandebult mine remains shut after Monday’s accident. — I-net Bridge