Family to sue for son’s blast death
THE Moropane family in Burgersfort wants to take civil action against the Bokoni Platinum Mine after their son, Bernard died after being struck by a rock during blasting at their Klipfontein open-cast mine recently.
THE Moropane family from Mosotsi village in Burgersfort wants to take civil action against the Bokoni Platinum Mine after their son, Bernard died after being struck by a rock during blasting at their Klipfontein open-cast mine recently.
The angry Moropane family did not disclose the amount of money they would be suing for.
Bernard’s father, Elmon, said his son was busy welding some 500m away when the rock struck him on the head. “The mine officer came to my family and promised to help with the funeral. We are devastated and there is a lawyer who is helping us to sue the mine,” he said.
Spokesperson for the Mecklenburg police, Const Elias Setati, confirmed the incident.
“We are still conducting a post mortem to determine the cause of death. Currently, we have opened an inquest docket. No arrest has been made and the community should be calm and give the police time to investigate,” Setati said.
The Atlatsa Resources Corporation suspended operations at the open-cast mine pending the outcome of an urgent and full investigation into the fatal injury.
Atlatsa’s chief executive officer, Harold Motaung, the board and management of Atlatsa and Bokoni extended their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bernard.
Motaung said the safety of employees and the community remained of paramount importance to the mine’s operations.
“The mine management is working closely with the police, the department of mineral resources, and other authorities involved in the investigation of the fatality.
“The company notes with regret that after the fatal injury, the local community set fire to community and contractor mining property and equipment, causing significant damage. This too is being investigated by the police, and community engagement to resolve any issues arising from this event is ongoing.
“The Klipfontein open-cast mine comprises approximately 20% of Bokoni’s total production and the mine has adequate stockpile for processing while the open-cast operation remain suspended,” Motaung said.
