An incident at a platinum mine in South Africa led to the loss of eleven lives and left 75 others injured after a lift carrying workers plunged approximately 200 meters (656 feet), revealed the mine’s operator, Impala Platinum.
The “serious accident” occurred on Monday afternoon at the Rustenburg mine, located northwest of Johannesburg, as workers were concluding their shift and exiting one of the mine’s shafts.
Nico Muller, CEO of Impala Platinum (Implats), conveyed profound sorrow in a statement issued on Tuesday, expressing, “Our hearts ache for the lives lost and the individuals affected by this devastating accident. We are profoundly shocked and saddened by the loss of our colleagues, and we are currently ensuring that all next-of-kin have been informed.”
The company confirmed that 75 workers sustained injuries and were swiftly transported to local hospitals for immediate medical attention.
Implats spokesperson Johan Theron informed AFP news agency that some workers suffered severe injuries, predominantly ankle and leg fractures, while others sustained minor scratches.
The incident unfolded just before 5 pm (15:00 GMT) on Monday when the lift, transporting employees, “unexpectedly started descending,” according to the company. The statement explained, “Its rapid descent was halted when the conveyance counterweight became trapped by the jack catches.”
South Africa holds the distinction of being the world’s largest platinum producer.
Mining-related fatalities have seen a declining trend in the country. In 2022, South Africa recorded 49 fatalities from various mining accidents, marking a decrease from the previous year’s 74 fatalities. Government statistics indicate a consistent reduction in mining-related fatalities over the past two decades, significantly dropping from nearly 300 fatalities in 2000.