The past couple of weeks have been tragic ones for Gold Fields (GFI-N) employees after a series of unrelated accidents claimed 13 lives at two of the company’s South African assets.
On May 1, a rope broke on a sub cage winder at the Twin Shaft complex, part of the South Deep gold mine, near Westonaria, killing nine people. The employees were part of a development team working below the mine’s 95 level.
“We are deeply shocked by this terrible accident and our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the people who lost their lives,” said Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland in a statement.
On April 29, three employees were killed and two injured when a cave-in occurred 1.9 km below surface at the No. 10 shaft of the company’s Driefontein mine. This accident followed a seismic event registering 1.7 magnitude.
Several hours later, a driller’s assistant was killed in a cave-in at South Deep on the 100 level, 2.7 km below surface at Twin Shaft.
On word of the accidents, an investigation was carried out by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) and Gold Fields’ mine management teams. The DME ordered the company to cease all winding until the integrity of all winding ropes at the company’s mines in South Africa could be examined.
“The safety of our people is paramount,” said Holland in a statement. “If we cannot mine safely, we will not mine. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find the reason for the accident and will cooperate fully with the DME.”
Meanwhile operations have resumed at all properties including operations above the 95 level at South Deep.
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