Underground at Harmony’s Elandsrand mine

Johannesburg, South Africa --- MININGREVIEW.COM --- 01 September 2008 - Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (Harmony) – the fifth largest gold producer in the world – says two mineworkers have lost their lives in an incident at its Elandsrand mine, and work has been halted until further notice.
 
The company announced in media release issued here that a seismic event measuring 1.2 on the Richter scale had occurred at its Elandsrand Gold Mine over the weekend, resulting in the death of two mineworkers.

The release added that the localised seismic event had occurred in the 105/32 W7 panel, causing an extensive fall of ground. “Three persons were trapped by the fall of ground, and although they were rescued by their fellow workers with assistance from the Mine Rescue Services, regrettably two have succumbed to their injuries,” said the release. “The third employee sustained multiple injuries and has been admitted to hospital.”

The workplace has been closed until further investigations have been completed, and the names of the deceased persons will be made known once their families have been notified.

The safety audit of all mines in South Africa ordered by President Mbeki last October has been completed, and it was announced last week that the findings would be released soon. South Africa recorded 221 mine deaths last year, up from 200 in 2006. By June this year, 85 mineworkers had lost their lives.