DMRE investigates fatal mining incidents

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According to the department, at least seven miners were caught in a mudslide underground which left three dead and four others injured.

In another incident at the mine’s 16 Shaft mining complex, an employee was killed underground during drilling operations.

The two incidents come barely a week after minister Gwede Mantashe revealed that provisional reports indicate that incidents at mines this year have claimed the lives of at least 58 people – leaving some 1,810 others injured.

Investigations underway

In a statement, the department said investigations are now underway into the two most recent incidents.

“The DMRE has been on the ground participating in the search and rescue operations. The Department’s Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate will now commence with a full investigation to determine the cause of the incidents that took place."