May 05, 2008, 14:30
The chief inspector of mines, Gold Fields’s management, union representatives and the department of minerals and energy are meeting to determine whether the Gold Field's South Deep mine is safe enough to continue operations. Operations at the mine were suspended last Thursday after nine people lost their lives when the rope on their conveyance snapped, plunging 58m down a mine shaft.
Bheki Khumalo, a spokesperson for the department, says they are looking at a report on conditions at the mine. “South Deep Mine was closed at the behest of our inspectors; they have put certain conditions for the mines to fulfil. If the meeting is of the view that the mine has met all the conditions … then of course a different decision will be taken in this matter.”
The National Union of Mines (NUM) says the outcome of the meeting is irrelevant to them as they want an independent investigation conducted into the matter. They are questioning why Gold Fields was allegedly granted permission to run their mine on Friday after operations were suspended. “…The commitment from the minister and the chief inspectorate was that they will only be given (permission to open the mine) as soon as the inspection was finalised,” says NUM spokesperson, Lesiba Seshoka.
Gold Fields has denied allegations that it's South Deep mine was operation on Friday. “On Thursday at 5:40pm there was what is called a section 54 order issued by the DME, which instructed all mining operations at South Deep be suspended pending assessment of the integrity of the winding ropes.
“That suspension order was lifted on Friday; in respect of all main winders that transport men, material and rocks. That could have allowed South Deep send workers down to work underground, but there was no mining on South Deep on Friday or Saturday or Sunday.”
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