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Mine accident 'a wake-up call'
04/10/2007 11:11 - (SA)
Carletonville - The accident at Harmony Gold's Elandsrand mine near Carletonville, where miners were trapped underground, should be a wake-up call, the company's chairperson Patrice Motsepe said on Thursday.
Looking on as load after load of miners were brought to the surface, Motsepe told reporters that he was concerned that the issue of health and safety was becoming critical.
"We have to recommit ourselves to refocus on safety in this country, our safety record both as a company and an industry leave much to be desired," Motsepe said.
He committed the mine and the company to co-operate fully with the investigation into what happened at the mine.
He said it was no longer good enough to just talk about safety.
Show commitment
"We run companies that have an obligation to all constituencies. Shareholders are one of those constituencies but we have an obligation to our employees (as well)," he said.
"It's not a matter we should talk about, I think it is a matter where it's more urgent that we show the sort of behaviour and conduct that reflects our commitment," he added.
Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica arrived at the mine at 09:00 to assess the situation where about half of 3 200 miners remained trapped underground.
Spokesperson Bontle Mafuna said, "The minister has arrived to monitor the situation and to see to it that everyone is rescued.
"These are people's lives, we are very concerned about people's safety," she said.
Mafuna said the department had become more vigilant as to the safety of workers.
Rescuers hoped to have everyone out by 13:00 on Thursday.
The miners became trapped on Wednesday morning when a pipe fell into the lift shaft and cut off the power supply to the lift normally used to hoist them out of the mine.
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