Two mineworkers have died after a 3.5 magnitude tremor at an AngloGold Ashanti mine at Carletonville on the West Rand.
The company’s Stewart Bailey confirmed on Saturday: “A tremor at 120 level occurred at Savuka mine that caused a damage to one of the underground haulage (mining transport systems). There were two people walking through the haulage at the time. It was a 3.5 magnitude tremor. Two of our colleagues were fatally injured.”
The incident occurred just after midnight on Friday. The company said it did not confirm the incident until now because it first needed to notify the next of kin.
Savuka is amongst the world’s deepest mines‚ as are all the mining operations on the Far West Rand.
This is a seismically active area‚ where tremors are a naturally occurring phenomenon. But they are generally relatively minor‚” Bailey said.
This week’s tremor‚ he said‚ “was far bigger than we usually experience”.
The mine has a good safety record‚ he added.
“This is tragic.”
The mine’s operations are fully suspended pending an investigation into the incident by the government’s Inspector of Mines.
AngloGold Ashanti would be monitoring whether it was safe to re-enter‚ Bailey said.
Two AngloGold Ashanti miners die after earth tremor
Two mineworkers have died after a 3.5 magnitude tremor at an AngloGold Ashanti mine at Carletonville on the West Rand.
The company’s Stewart Bailey confirmed on Saturday: “A tremor at 120 level occurred at Savuka mine that caused a damage to one of the underground haulage (mining transport systems). There were two people walking through the haulage at the time. It was a 3.5 magnitude tremor. Two of our colleagues were fatally injured.”
The incident occurred just after midnight on Friday. The company said it did not confirm the incident until now because it first needed to notify the next of kin.
Savuka is amongst the world’s deepest mines‚ as are all the mining operations on the Far West Rand.
This is a seismically active area‚ where tremors are a naturally occurring phenomenon. But they are generally relatively minor‚” Bailey said.
This week’s tremor‚ he said‚ “was far bigger than we usually experience”.
The mine has a good safety record‚ he added.
“This is tragic.”
The mine’s operations are fully suspended pending an investigation into the incident by the government’s Inspector of Mines.
AngloGold Ashanti would be monitoring whether it was safe to re-enter‚ Bailey said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos