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Sibanye must explain why generators didn’t kick-in: Labour Analyst

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Labour analyst Mamokgethi Molopyane says Sibanye-Stillwater’s Beatrix gold mine will have to justify why their backup generators did not kick-in when the electricity was off.

This comes after 950 mine workers were trapped underground after a power failure that took place due to a lightning strike on Wednesday, causing power failure in the area.

Power has been restored at the mine in the Free State.

Rescue operations of the 950 workers who were trapped underground resumed earlier on Friday. All of the miners were accounted for a the surface.

Despite assurances from Sibanye that the mineworkers were safe and being sent down food and liquids, miners say management didn’t communicate with them and they didn’t receive any food.

This once again brings the question of safety in mines into the spotlight.

“We always emphasize health and safety act and that when accidents happen rules must always be adhered to but it seems like they are not. For the past five years we’ve had small and even significant mining accidents, till today Lily Mine workers’ bodies are not yet recovered. The fault this time lies with the mining company.”

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