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Yet another tragic incident resulting in a fatality at Harmony Gold (Kusasalethu mine) near Carletonville in Gauteng, is cause for concern.

UASA conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the worker who lost his life in an engineering related incident on Monday afternoon, 6 June 2022, a mere month after four more workers died at Kusasalethu. The four workers lost their lives when a mud wall collapsed on them while cleaning an underground mud dam and completing repairs to a pipe in the dam. Two other workers were injured.

The question is why workers’ lives are in jeopardy when advanced technology and safety measures should protect them from harm? UASA has on several accounts called on mining companies to ensure that safety and health protocols are monitored at all times. 

UASA again encourages all mining sector workers to pledge their support to the Minerals Council's Khumbul ‘ekhaya Safety campaign and the zero harm policy of all mines. This industry has killed too many workers and orphaned many children due to unsafety and accidents that mine workers face. The loss of lives in mines must stop. Workers have the right to a safe working environment and have families to provide for. One fatality is one too many!

Issued by UASA Spokesperson Abigail Moyo