NUM calls for probe into the opening of Goldfields

Nine people died at the Randfontein mine after the mine-hoists's cable snapped

Goldfields' claims that it had been granted permission to resume mining at South Deep mine should urgently be investigated, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said yesterday.

NUM general secretary Frans Baleni said management had on Friday night begun coercing employees to go to work, claiming that clearance to resume mining had been granted.

Minerals and Energy minister, Buyelwa Sonjica, and her department's Mining Inspectorate indicated on Friday that mining would be halted at the South Deep mine, Baleni said.

Nine people died at the mine near Randfontein when the mine-hoist's cable snapped and they plummeted 58 metres down the shaft on Thursday.

Cover-ups
"We urge the ministry to launch an independent investigation into the matter and should any cover-up or underhand activities be found heads should roll," said Baleni.

"People's lives are important and any attempt to compromise it at this stage will be viewed in a serious light." Production at the mine must stop to give inspectors an opportunity to investigate, he said.

"The NUM is disturbed that the mine argued it had suspended operations when the suspension was not voluntary in the first place and now it lies about clearance in order to pursue profits at all cost," said Baleni. - Sapa