PHALABORWA: PMC release photos of miners who died in Sunday’s tragic accident
The memorial service of the six deceased miners who lost their lives during the tragic underground mine fire that occurred on Sunday is currently underway at PMC.
Six mine workers who were trapped underground at Palabora Copper (PMC) have died after a fire broke out at Conveyor Belt 5, PMC confirmed on Monday, July 16.
This is the second time in 2018 Palabora Mining, which belongs to an association of investors including Hebei Iron & Steel Group, China’s largest steel maker, has suffered a fatality on site. The minister of mineral resources Gwede Mantashe visited the mine on Tuesday to address the situation.
Read: UPDATE 3: Body of last confined Phalaborwa miner found
Mantashe said that his department has identified key questions that will receive special attention in the inquiry into the accident that claimed six lives. Mantashe said his team has identified key issues of concern, including the quality of the conveyer belt that was being installed at the time of the incident.
“We have decided to bring forward the Mining Summit that was scheduled for November to September,” Mantashe said.
Mantashe has responded to calls by labour to review the Mine Safety Act, saying that it will be dealt with in detail at the summit before the end of this year.
He also said that he would be visiting the families of the deceased.
Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe has said that the cause of this incident is still not clear at this stage, but he assured that the investigation led by the police and other role-players, including PMC, will reveal the cause of the incident.
The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) confirmed that a group of miners have died following an underground fire on Sunday morning. “According to reports received from AMCU’s Limpopo East leadership‚ a fire broke out at the Phalaborwa Mining Company at about 01:25‚” the union head Joseph Mathunjwa said in a statement.
“The fire reportedly started at conveyor belt five. When smoke was seen by a logistics belt operator‚ the workers were instructed to evacuate the area to the closest refuge chamber. The proto team at the mine itself was reportedly not ready to complete the rescue. Therefore another proto team from the Burgersfort area had to be called in. Unfortunately‚ this team arrived late and could only start work at around 11:00,” Joseph said in the statement.
It is believed that the temperature rose to 67°C and this made it difficult for the rescue team to rescue the men who were trapped underground, and this difficulty led to the death of the mineworkers who were in the refuge chamber.
“The proto team could not stay down long enough due to the high temperatures. They were wearing ice jackets‚ which only protects them for a limited time‚” Mathunjwa said. The team had reportedly gone back down when the temperature had subsided to rescue a missing miner‚ who police have since confirmed had died. “AMCU will participate in the incident investigation in terms of section 60 of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), as well as the subsequent fatal inquiry in terms of section 65‚” added Mathunjwa.
Mathunjwa said that Association also calls on the Department of Mineral Resource to ensure compliance and hasten its investigations so that the cause of this tragic event could be determined.
We will remember the men who perished during this incident.
They were positively identified by their families as follows: Shaun Mashigo (26) from Namakgale. Peter Selowa (32) from Mashishimale. Vula Eckson Mayindi (60) from Namakgale. Kgotso Peter Sekgobele (29) from Maseke Moshate Village. Lebogang Elliot Maake (37) Namakgale. Russel Ricardo Warne (24) Phalaborwa.
