Former general manager of Lily Mine dismisses knowledge of two reports by rock engineer

Former general manager of Lily Mine, Eben Swanepoel has dismissed knowledge of two reports by rock engineer, Rudie Kirsten, proposing the relocation of the mine’s main entrance long before it collapsed.

Swanepoel was testifying during an inquest on the collapse of the mine in the Nelspruit Regional Court.

The incident left three employees, Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule and Solomon Nyirenda trapped underground, while over 74 survived in 2016.

Five years later, the Lily Mine disaster in Barbeton, outside Mbombela, has come under scrutiny. The incident is still fresh in the minds of the three families of the employees, whose remains are yet to be retrieved from underground.

Families disappointed with the government’s lack of intervention in the Lily Mine issue: 

Swanepoel told the court that health and safety were always top of their agenda. He says the lamp room, which sank with the three miners, was placed next to the entrance to have access control when blasting to ensure that there is nobody underground.

Swanepoel mentioned that they have done everything to ensure a safe environment for their employees. He also confirmed he was instructed to close all the holes on top of the hill, which were created by illegal miners. Swanepoel says although Lily Mine was also facing challenges of illegal mining this was not as serious as reported.

He says during their inspection in 2011, they saw illegal miners on three levels, which they entered through the ventilation shaft. Earlier, the court heard evidence from Mr X that hundreds of illegal miners were flooding the mine and they possibly entered the mine on crown pillars.

He confirmed to the court that he was also not aware of Goldfield, one of the partners with Vantage. Swanepoel says he joined Lily Mine in October 2011, while the report by Kirsten was compiled in May of the same year.

Richard Spoor, the lawyer who represents the families, was left frustrated by Swanepoel. Spoor says Swanepoel is not telling the truth because as a general manager, he was also responsible for issues relating to safety. Spoor also says Swanepoel was well aware of the reports by the rock engineer, who warned mine management long ago to mitigate the risks of the mine collapsing by relocating the entrance.

The court also wanted to know whether the mine re-looked at the crown pillar design by the rock engineer, to either see how best it can be improved to prevent the collapse. Swanepoel said it was impossible because they were no longer mining at the Level Four shaft. He added that there were no signs of risks of a possible collapse, even when the evening shift knocked off and the morning shift reporting for duty.

The inquest continues with more witnesses expected to testify.