NUM is Deeply Saddened by the Death of Four Mineworkers at Tau Lekoa Mine

24 July 2014

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is highly furious by reports alleging that Tau Lekoa gold mine in Orkney, North West, ignored instructions from rock engineers who inspected the mine few days before the seismic incident that resulted in the death of four mine workers last Saturday.

The union has learned with shock that on Wednesday (July 19, 2017), rock engineers went underground for a routine inspection and came out with recommendations that directed the mine management on how the area should be mined.

“The NUM is highly disturbed by this tragic death of workers. This accident, like any other mining accidents, could have been prevented. We are told that recommendations were presented by rock engineers to the mine on how to mine safely," said NUM Health and Safety Secretary Erick Gcilitshana.

The seismic incident happened on Saturday, four mine workers who were working overtime were trapped. One body was recovered on the same day while two were recovered yesterday. The victims are from Kuruman in North West, Sterkspruit in Eastern Cape and Lesotho.

“We want to call upon the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to fully investigate this unfortunate accident. As the NUM we will make sure that no stone is left unturned,” said Gcilitshana.

The NUM continues to insist that mining companies must be held fully accountable for such accidents. They should shoulder responsibility and liability after every workplace injury or death.

As a union, we thought we were starting to observe a decline in fatal accidents. 52 fatalities were reported last year this time, already 41 fatalities have been reported so far since January this year.

The NUM sends its heartfelt condolences to the affected families of the victims.

For more information, Please contact
Erick Gcilitshana: NUM Health and Safety Secretary: 082 809 3105